,..-•' 


THE  SEVENTIETH  INDIANA 


THE 


SEVENTIETH  INDIANA 


VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY 


IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION 


BY 

SAMUEL  MERRILL 


INDIANAPOLIS 

THE  BOWEN-MERRILL  COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS 


•5 
.   70ft 


COPYRIGHT,  1900 

BY 
THE  BOWEN-MERRILL  COMPANY 


IN  MEMORY 

OF  THOSE  WHO,  HAVING 
ENROLLED  THEIR  NAMES  WITH  THE  FIRST  REGIMENT  TO 

ANSWER  THE  CALL  OF  THE 
PRESIDENT  IN  EIGHTEEN  HUNDRED  SIXTY-TWO, 

PLACED  THEM  BESIDE 
ABRAHAM  LINCOLN'S  ON  THE  RADIANT 

ROLL  OF  HEROES 

WHO  DIED  THAT  THE  NATION 

MIGHT  LIVE 


PREFACE. 


A  New  England  clergyman  with  a  wide  experience  in 
literary  affairs,  hearing  that  the  author  had  undertaken 
the  history  of  the  Seventieth  Indiana  Regiment,  wrote  to 
a  friend:  "I  am  very,  very  sorry,  for  do  what  he  may,  he 
will  please  nobody,  will  displease  a  good  many,  will  con 
sume  an  immense  amount  of  time,  and  will  make  neither 
money  nor  reputation." 

His  prophecy  in  regard  to  time  has  proved  true,  and 
very  likely  the  rest  of  it  will  be  fulfilled,  yet  as  the  work 
was  entered  upon  without  thought  of  any  of  these  things, 
and  only  in  response  to  the  urgent  request  of  the  survivors 
of  the  regiment,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  every  member,  bear 
ing  in  mind  the  impossibility  of  producing  anything  satis 
factory  at  this  late  date,  will  view  the  result  indulgently, 
and  that  at  least  nobody  will  be  offended. 

It  will  be  seen  by  those  who  read  the  story,  that  while 
the  men  who  composed  this  organization  were  the  equals 
of  any  to  be  found  in  other  regiments,  and  far  superior  to 
the  average  of  the  men  who  staid  at  home,  they  were  only 
human  beings;  that  no  effort  has  been  macfe  to  hide  faults 
or  mistakes,  and  that  the  aim  of  the  writer  has  been  sim 
ply  to  give  a  truthful  record  of  the  life  of  plain  American 
youth,  who  followed  the  flag  until  it  floated  over  every 
spot  from  which  it  had  been  torn  down. 

The  children  of  the  veterans,  who  may  look  in  vain  for 
an  account  of  the  personal  exploits  of  their  fathers,  must 
lay  their  disappointment  to  the  modesty  of  those  fathers. 


PREFACE 

Again  and  again  has  come  the  reply  to  solicitation,  "Oh, 
I  have  nothing  interesting  to  tell;  I  only  did  my  duty." 
A  few  whose  letters  or  journals  have  been  preserved  have 
kindly  placed  them  in  my  hands,  and  the  narrative  is 
largely  formed  from  these  sources.  Comments  made  at 
the  time  that  incidents  occurred  are  far  more  natural  and 
entertaining,  often  more  exact,  than  any  later  composition 
can  possibly  be. 

The  following  persons  have  been  of  great  assistance: 

J.  C.  Bennett  J.  M.  Brown,  P.  S.  Carson,  R.  W.  Cathcart, 
J.  E.  Cleland,  W.  H.  Cooper,  J.  M.  Eades,  W.  H.  Elvin,  G. 
W.  Grubbs,  F.  H.  Huron,  A.  J.  Johnson,  J.  H.  Kelly, 
L.  H.  Kennedy,  J.  L.  Ketcham,  W.  M.  Meredith,  W.  A. 
Miller,  W.  R.  McCracken,  M.  G.  McLain,  D.  M.  Ransdell, 
A.  W.  Reagan,  S.  B.  Robertson,  Wm.  Sharpe,  J.  F.  Snow, 
J.  Stoops,  G.  C.  Thompson,  W.  W.  Wilhite,  J.  I.  Wills, 
J.  M.  Wills. 

U.  H.  Farr  has  been  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  procure 
information,  R.  M.  Smock  in  attending  to  necessary  cor 
respondence,  and  their  names  should  lead  all  the  rest. 

Indianapolis,  May  30,  1900.  S.  M. 


THE  HISTORY 

OF    THE 

SEVENTIETH    INDIANA  REGIMENT. 


CHAPTER  I. 
GOING,    GOING,    GONE  ! 

The  failure  of  General  McClellan  to  take  Richmond  dur 
ing  the  last  days  of  June,  1862,  and  the  great  losses  of 
the  Union  army  in  the  battles  near  that  city,  made  ap 
parent  the  necessity  for  more  soldiers.  On  July  first 
President  Lincoln  accepted  the  proposition  of  the  Gover 
nors  of  the  loyal  States  to  raise  more  troops,  and  decided 
to  call  into  the  service  an  additional  force  of  three  hun 
dred  thousand  men. 

Oliver  P.  Morton,  Governor  of  Indiana,  on  the  seventh 
issued  a  proclamation  in  which  occurs  the  following  sen 
tence:  "I  therefore  call  upon  every  man,  whatever  may 
be  his  rank  and  condition  in  life,  to  put  aside  his  business 
and  come  to  the  rescue  of  his  country.  Upon  every  man 
individually  let  me  urge  the  solemn  truth,  that  whatever 
may  be  his  condition  or  business,  he  has  no  duty  or  busi 
ness  half  so  important  to  himself  and  family  as  the  speedy 
and  effectual  suppression  of  the  rebellion." 

On  the  fourteenth  recruiting  officers  were  appointed  in 
all  the  congressional  districts  of  the  State,  with  power  to 
enlist  men  for  the  term  of  "three  years,  or  during  the  war." 
By  August  twelfth  ten  companies  had  been  raised  in  Hen- 


2  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

dricks,  Johnson,  Marion,  Morgan  and  Shelby  counties, 
and  were  encamped  on  a  common  west  of  Indianapolis, 
where  they  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
as  the  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  by  Col. 
J.  S.  Simonson,  U.  S.  A. 

While  many  of  the  men  composing  this  body  of  troops 
were  from  Indianapolis,  and  from  the  towns  and  villages 
of  the  neighboring  counties,  the  majority  were  from  the 
country,  farmers  and  sons  of  farmers.  The  current  remark 
"that  the  job  of  suppressing  the  rebellion  had  proved  too 
big  for  the  boys,  and  that  it  was  now  time  for  the  men  to 
go  to  their  help,"  conveys  a  wrong  impression,  for  many 
had  not  enlisted  before  because  they  had  not  attained  the 
required  age.  It  is  true,  however,  that  a  large  number 
who  enlisted  \vere  men  profoundly  convinced  that  all  was 
lost,  unless  they  made  the  sacrifice  of  leaving  their  wives, 
their  children  and  their  business  until  the  Government 
should  be  re-established. 

Many  incidents  in  connection  with  enlistments  for  this 
regiment  throw  a  light  on  the  heroism  of  the  national 
character.  One  mother  exclaimed,  "I  could  not  have  felt 
he  was  my  son  had  he  hesitated."  Another,  "My  son,  you 
will  be  faithful.  It  is  a  noble  duty."  A  boy,  an  only  child, 
who  wished  to  enlist,  asked  the  recruiting  officer  to  see 
his  mother  and  gain  her  consent.  There  was  an  indescrib 
able  radiance  on  her  beautiful  face  as  she  replied,  "Yes, 
he  may  go.  How  can  I  refuse  to  give  my  son  to  the 
country  when  I  remember  that  my  Heavenly  Father  gave 
His  only  son  to  save  the  world?" 

To  the  fathers  and  mothers  the  enlistment  of  their  sons 
was  a  terribly  serious  thing,  and  to  the  man  who  was 
leaving  wife  and  children  it  was  inexpressible  anguish;  but 


GOING,    GOING,    GONE  !  3 

to  the  boy,  who  had  been  longing  for  the  time  when  he 
should  be  old  enough  or  large  enough  to  be  acceptable, 
the  only  distress  was  the  fear  that  the  mustering  officer 
would  fail  to  receive  him. 

U.  H.  Farr  of  Company  D,  who  had  not  yet  seen  his 
sixteenth  birthday,  says:  "The  fife  was  playing,  the  drums 
were  beating,  and  the  new  soldiers  fell  into  line.  When 
I  saw  among  them  boys  no  larger  than  myself  I  suddenly 
resolved  to  see  if  they  would  take  me,  and  stepped  into  the 
ranks  with  the  others.  I  kept  the  step  till  the  war  was 
over." 

As  the  recruits  came  into  camp  they  were  supplied  with 
Sibley  tents,  each  of  which  was  supposed  to  accommodate 
twenty  men.  These  conical  dwellings,  when  pitched,  were 
about  twelve  feet  high  and  fifteen  feet  in  diameter  at  the 
bottom.  For  a  door  there  was  a  slit  in  the  side,  and  for 
the  escape  of  smoke  and  foul  air  a  hole  in  the  top,  over 
which  a  cap  could  be  fitted  to  keep  out  the  rain.  At  night 
the  men  lay  facing  the  same  way,  with  a  fit  so  perfect,  that 
when  one  restless  slumberer  turned,  all  had  to  turn;  a  sure 
disturbance  of  sleep,  and  an  excuse  for  ill  humor  and  strong 
language.  Two  wall  tents  were  allotted  to  the  three  com 
missioned  officers  of  each  company.  The  field  and  staff 
were  accommodated  in  a  similar  manner. 

Experience  is  a  dear  teacher,  but  efficient.  When,  three 
or  four  nights  after  camp  was  formed,  a  heavy  rain  flooded 
the  ground,  the  men  sprang  up  with  a  yell,  and  learned 
without  further  instruction  to  put  a  trench  about  their 
tents. 

Previous  to  mustering  the  regiment  into  the  service  the 
recruits  were  rigidly  examined,  being  stripped  by  the 
surgeons  and  scrutinized,  as  a  jockey  looks  for  defects  in. 


4  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

a  horse  before  a  purchase.  The  youth  who  would  admit 
that  he  was  under  eighteen  years  of  age,  or  the  graybeard 
that  he  was  over  forty-five,  was  dismissed  from  the  ranks 
by  Colonel  Simonson  as  unfit  for  the  hardships  of  war. 

On  the  morning  of  the  twelfth  of  August  the  regiment 
was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and 
in  the  evening  marched  to  the  arsenal  and  received  Enfield 
rifles.  It  spent  the  night  on  the  verandas  of  the  old  State 
house.  The  following  morning,  August  thirteenth,  1862,  the 
Seventieth  Indiana,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Benja 
min  Harrison,  marched  through  the  streets,  crowded  by 
friends,  to  the  J.  &  I.  R.  R.  station.  Company  E  claimed 
the  honor  of  shedding  the  first  blood,  when  just  as  the 
engine  was  about  to  pull  out,  Wm.  Cooper  taught  a  citizen 
not  to  utter  unpatriotic  sentiments  while  farewells  were 
being  spoken.  While  the  train  was  on  its  way  southward 
a  huge  bull  planted  himself  on  the  track  and  disputed  its 
passage.  His  courage  was  more  commendable  than  his 
prudence.  The  omen  was  favorable,  for  this  opposer  of 
civilization  "made  way  for  liberty  and  died." 

The  thousand  men  and  more  who  composed  the  regi 
mental  organization  arrived  in  Louisville  in  the  evening, 
thus  reaching  the  country  that  had  been  overrun  by  the 
enemies  of  the  Government  in  less  than  a  month  from  the 
time  the  first  man  was  enlisted.  It  was  thus  the  first  regi 
ment  from  any  of  the  Northern  States  to  enter  the  region 
where  disloyalty  prevailed,  all  the  members  of  which  had 
been  enlisted  after  the  demand  made  by  President  Lincoln, 
July  first,  1862. 

During  the  march  through  Louisville  most  of  the  citi 
zens  looked  on  in  sullen  silence,  though  from  one  residence 
ladies  came  out  bearing  waiters  full  of  cakes  and  pies, 


GOING,    GOING,    GONE  !  5 

which  they  offered  to  the  boys;  and  negroes  could  not 
restrain  their  joyous  laughter  and  cheers.  The  regiment 
encamped  just  south  of  the  city,  but  on  the  following 
evening  was  ordered  to  strike  tents  in  a  driving  rain  and 
enter  box  cars  preparatory  to  a  journey  southward.  These 
cars  had  been  used  to  convey  cattle,  and  the  author  of 
Knickerbocker's  History  of  New  York  would  have  de 
scribed  them  as  fragrantly  cushioned  for  the  military 
occupants. 

As  John  Morgan  had  captured  Gallatin  two  days  before, 
and  the  train  was  headed  in  that  direction,  there  was 
danger  of  interference  on  his  part  with  this  movement. 
Though  familiar  with  firearms  used  in  hunting,  our  tyros 
were  not  accustomed  to  weapons  of  war,  and  had  to  be 
instructed  hastily  in  the  methods  of  loading  their  muskets. 
As  we  jolted  along  at  night  through  an  enemy's  country, 
with  raw  recruits  lying  on  loaded  guns,  it  might  be  difficult 
to  decide  whether  the  danger  was  greater  from  within  or 
from  without. 

The  regiment  reached  Bowling  Green  on  the  morning 
of  the  fifteenth,  and  encamped  at  the  foot  of  a  hill  about 
a  half  mile  from  the  village.  Here  it  was  assigned  to  a 
Provisional  Brigade,  under  command  of  Colonel  S.  D.  Bruce, 
and  was  immediately  given  to  understand  that  war,  for  the 
present  at  least,  meant  study,  watchfulness  and  work. 


CHAPTER  II. 

CAMP    EXPERIENCES 

The  companies  were  located  in  camp  as  they  were  let 
tered,  A  upon  the  right,  K  upon  the  left,  and  to  E  was  at 
tached  the  regimental  color  guard.  Reveille  was  at  five 
o'clock;  company  drill  was  from  five  to  six;  breakfast  at  six; 
guard  mounting  from  seven  to  eight; officers'  drill  was  from 
eight  till  nine;  police  duty  from  nine  to  ten;  company  drill 
from  ten  till  twelve;  dinner  at  twelve;  non-commissioned 
officers'  drill  was  from  one  till  two;  battalion  drill  was  from 
two  till  four;  supper  at  five;  dress  parade  from  six  to  seven; 
roll  call  at  eight;  lights  out  at  nine. 

The  regiment  was  supplied  with  water  from  a  spring 
near  the  residence  of  a  disloyal  man  named  Elrod.  A 
guard  was  stationed  by  the  fountain  to  see  that  "first 
come  was  first  served,"  and  that  there  was  no  interference 
with  its  purity.  On  the  night  of  the  sixteenth  the  soldiers 
had  their  first  experience  of  being  called  out  after  dark. 
A  man,  afterwards  ascertained  to  be  a  young  Confederate 
physician,  at  home  on  leave  of  absence,  had  crept  through 
the  small  cedars  that  grew  near  and  fired  at  the  sentinel, 
Josiah  Deer  of  Company  I,  wounding  him  severely.  The 
noise  of  the  firing  was  instantly  followed  by  the  dismal 
sounding  of  the  long  roll.  Then  came  the  hurrying  of 
men  to  the  color  line,  many  half  dressed,  and  a  few  carry 
ing  their  clothes  in  their  arms,  having  in  their  haste  left 
their  guns  in  their  tents.  Company  K  was  detached  and 
did  much  scouting  through  brier  bushes  and  cornfields 
in  the  vain  search  for  an  enemy,  concluding  with  the 

6 


CAMP    EXPERIENCES  7 

stationing  of  twenty  men  for  the  night  near  the  point 
where  the  firing  had  been  heard. 

A  few  nights  after  there  was  a  fusillade  from  the  direc 
tion  of  the  place  where  the  teamsters  were  encamped,  and 
with  it  the  hideous  clatter  of  the  drums  and  the  exciting 
cry  of  "Fall  in."  An  insubordinate  from  Company  E,  who 
was  gifted  in  getting  himself  arrested  and  in  escaping  from 
confinement,  was  at  this  time  under  arrest,  in  charge  of 
a  guard  especially  instructed  to  use  watchfulness.  At  the 
sound  of  the  firing  both  guard  and  prisoner  flew  to  their 
quarters,  and  the  latter,  as  his  size  entitled  him,  took  his 
place  near  the  head  of  his  company.  When  the  regiment 
was  formed  in  line  Colonel  Harrison  detached  a  dozen  men 
from  Company  E  to  attend  him  to  the  place  where  the 
firing  was  heard.  It  became  evident  that  some  of  the 
teamsters  had  been  drinking  and  were  the  guilty  authors 
of  all  the  excitement,  but  no  one  would  admit  that  he  had 
fired  a  gun.  Instantly  the  former  guardhouse  occupant, 
who  had  marched  in  the  darkness  by  the  side  of  his  com 
mander,  suggested:  "Colonel,  if  you  will  put  your  finger 
in  the  muzzle  of  the  guns  you  will  find  who  did  the  firing." 
The  Colonel  knew  the  voice,  turned  and  looked  at  the 
speaker.  He  took  the  advice,  but  said  nothing.  What 
could  be  done  with  such  a  brave  incorrigible? 

To  most  of  the  men  the  silence  of  night  at  home  had 
been  broken  only  by  "the  watch  dog's  honest  bark,"  or  the 
clarion  voice  of  the  "bird  of  dawning;"  so  the  diabolical 
sound  of  the  long  roll  inspired  more  terror  than  courage. 
It  was  amusing  to  hear  the  confusion  in  the  tents,  men 
searching  for  their  clothes  or  their  arms,  tumbling  over 
each  other  in  their  efforts  to  put  their  legs  in  their  trousers, 
agonizingly  inquiring,  "Where's  my  shoes,  my  hat,  my 


8  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

accoutrements,"  as  if  mother  or  wife  were  at  hand.  It  was 
even  more  ludicrous  to  see  men  standing  in  line  of  battle 
in  shirt  sleeves,  or  with  white  legs,  showing  their  inability 
to  find  coats  or  pantaloons.  Some  afterwards  averred  that 
their  hair  would  not  let  their  hats  stay  on  their  heads,  and 
that  the  last  dying  words  spoken  through  chattering  teeth 
were,  "Tell  her  I  died  at  the  post  of  duty."  The  statement 
was  made  that  after  one  of  the  night  scares  several  men 
were  found  lying  in  a  hole,  and  that  they  emerged  only 
when  assured  there  had  been  a  false  alarm.  The  time  came 
when  no  man  thought  of  undressing  at  night. 

As  an  illustration  of  what  experience  and  discipline  did 
for  these  men,  the  words  of  an  officer  of  the  Seventieth, 
writing  from  Georgia  two  years  later,  may  here  be  quoted: 
"I  could  not  sleep,  and  was  standing  at  midnight  on  the 
breastworks.  Suddenly  there  was  a  blaze  of  light  on  the 
picket  line,  and  a  volley  fired  a  few  yards  in  front.  In 
stantly,  without  a  word  or  tap  of  drum,  the  defenses  bristled 
from  end  to  end  with  glittering  bayonets." 

The  road  to  perfection,  however,  was  a  long  one  and 
hard  to  travel.  Discipline  is  hateful  to  the  young  soldier, 
but  it  is  his  best  friend.  It  wakes  him  up.  It  straightens 
and  strengthens  him.  It  makes  him  supple.  It  gives  him 
patience,  and  endurance,  and  vigilance.  It  almost  gives 
him  courage.  At  the  least,  it  is  a  good  backing,  for  it  sets 
him  in  control  over  all  his  forces. 

At  the  beginning,  ignorance  prevailed  among  officers 
as  well  as  among  men.  Stories  were  rife  of  officers  falling 
flat  as  they  marched  backward  in  front  of  their  companies, 
of  their  helplessly  rushing  men  into  obstacles,  of  their  ex 
pecting  wheeling  to  be  done  when  they  gave  the  order 
"swing  around  like  a  barn  door,"  of  their  giving  command 


CAMP    EXPERIENCES  9 

exactly  as  laid  down  in  the  tactics,  that  is,  without  omitting 
"to  the  right  or  left  as  the  case  may  be,"  of  their  command 
ing  "Arms  eport,"  of  orders  as  impossible  of  execution  as 
going  east  and  west  at  the  same  time.  However,  the  men 
in  line  had  quite  as  much  difficulty  in  executing  properly 
given  orders  as  those  not  according  to  Hardee.  Ignorance 
gradually  gave  way  to  intelligent  command  and  proper 
execution. 

Reveille  called  everybody  to  business  at  the  first  blush 
of  dawn ;  and  from  then  till  darkness  forbade  further  work, 
there  seemed  to  be  continuous  drilling,  excepting  during 
the  hours  devoted  to  cooking  and  eating.  The  duties  of 
dress  parade,  guard-mounting,  and  inspection  were  easily 
learned,  and  in  time  the  perplexities  of  company  and  bat 
talion  drill  were  mastered,  but  by  far  the  most  difficult 
thing  to  acquire  was  obedience  to  authority;  especially 
when  orders  seemed  to  be  unreasonable,  or  were  given  in 
an  imperious  manner  by  the  lately  commissioned,  who 
had  been  boon  companions  at  home.  Some  of  the  of 
ficers  felt  sincere  compunction  when  obliged  to  punish 
refractory  subordinates,  that  could  see  no  fault,  nor  even  im 
propriety  in  disobedience.  One  such  officer  writes  to  his  wife : 
"The  hardest  thing  about  this  life,  and  a  thing  that  often 
makes  me  feel  like  resigning,  is  the  necessity  of  punishing 
boys,  fine  fellows  in  many  respects,  who  take  to  disobedi 
ence  as  a  duck  does  to  water.  One  cannot  keep  from 
feeling  that  the  parents,  not  the  sons,  should  be  punished 
for  having  allowed  their  homes  to  be  little  nurseries  of 
anarchy." 

The  resentment  of  the  citizen  soldier  to  the  exercise  of 
authority  on  the  part  of  his  superiors,  and  his  feeling  of 
equality,  whatever  might  be  the  difference  of  rank,  may 


10  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

be  illustrated  by  an  incident  which  throws  light  also  on  the 
duties  and  privileges  of  all  concerned,  in  the  daily  recurring 
labor  of  guard-mounting.     The  genial  Adjutant  Mitchell 
says:    'The  boys  had  been  torturing  me  by  talking,  laugh 
ing,  etc.,  for  a  long  time,  so  I  determined  to  put  a  stop  to 
it.     To  carry  out  this  design,  I  made  a  little  speech  one 
morning,  informing  them  that  the  next  one  transgressing 
military  rules  while  on  duty  would  be  punished.     I  had 
barely  finished  when  a  man  turned  sidewise  in  the  ranks, 
nudged  his  comrade  with  his  elbow,  and  began  talking. 
I  immediately  ordered  that  gentleman  two  paces  in  front, 
and  put  him  through  the  manual  of  arms  for  two  minutes. 
After  I  retired  that  night  I  heard  a  noise  at  the  stable,  and 
hastily  rushed  out,  extricated  my  horse  from  an  entangle 
ment,  and  started  back  to  my  tent.     I  had  not  gone  far 
when  I  heard  the  stern  command  'Halt!'  and  'who  comes 
there?'     With  the  reply,  'A  friend  without  the  counter 
sign,'  I  suddenly  recollected  that  I  had  forgotten  in  my 
haste  to  get  the  countersign.    Here  I  was  outside  the  lines, 
confronted  by  the  man  whom  I  had  punished  in  the  morn 
ing.    That  man  had  the  authority  on  his  side,  and  ordered, 
'Mark  time!'     I  began  to  mark  time,  but  told  the  guard 
to  call  for  the  Sergeant,  so  I  could  get  the  countersign  and 
enter;  but  he  commanded,  'Mark  time  faster!'    I  increased 
my  speed.    The  guard  ordered  'Double  quick!'    That  was 
too  much.    I  stopped  and  said:   Til  mark  time  no  longer.' 
To  this  came  the  response,  'If  you  don't  mark  time  I'll 
shoot  you/    Here  was  a  moment  of  awful  suspense.    Would 
he  shoot  or  not?     If  I  double-quick,  he  will  tell  the  com 
mand  that  the  Adjutant  is  the  biggest  coward  in  the  army. 
He  will  say  he  scared  me  into  marking  time  till  I  wore 
myself  out.    So  I  said,  'Just  shoot.'    I  heard  his  gun-trig- 


CAMP    EXPERIENCES  II 

ger  click,  and  I  wondered  whether  he  would  shoot.  In 
a  moment  the  guard  lowered  his  gun,  said  he  knew  me  to 
be  the  Adjutant,  and  on  second  thought  believed  he  would 
not  shoot." 

The  same  officer  had  great  difficulty  in  teaching  a  soldier 
of  German  birth  the  language  to  be  used  when  he  was 
approached  at  night.  About  two  in  the  morning  the 
Adjutant  had  occasion  to  cross  the  picket  line  on  which 
this  man  was  stationed.  Of  course  "Halt!"  which  is  both 
German  and  English,  rang  out,  but  no  "who*  comes  there  ?" 
was  called.  The  officer  waited  a  few  moments,  then 
started  forward,  but  was  abruptly  stopped  with,  "Halt,  I 
zay!"  The  night  was  cold,  so  after  a  few  minutes  of  hesi 
tation  and  shivering,  another  advance  was  made,  to  cease 
instantly  with  a  shudder,  at  the  click  of  the  rifle-trigger, 
and  the  angry  cry  of  the  sentinel,  "Halt,  I  zay,  or  I'll  do 
you  somedings."  Fortunately  the  Sergeant  of  the  guard 
chanced  to  be  nearby,  and  put  a  stop  to  what  might  have 
been  a  serious  affair. 

What  added  immensely  to  disciplinary  difficulties  was 
the  fact  that  letters  were  constantly  received  from  disloyal 
men  in  the  North,  encouraging  dissatisfaction,  and  advis 
ing  desertion.  As  a  result  of  this  treasonable  advice,  much 
unhappiness  prevailed,  and  several  homesick  youths  were 
marked  on  the  rolls  for  a  time  as  absent  without  leave.  In 
response  to  a  letter  from  his  father  in  regard  to  deserting, 
J.  M.  Brown  of  Company  D,  whose  faithfulness  has  been 
rewarded  in  another  world,  writes:  "You  need  not  be 
uneasy  about  my  deserting.  If  I  don't  get  out  of  the 
army  until  I  desert  it,  I  will  stay  in  the  army  all  my  life." 

Attendance  on  the  Sunday  service  was  good,  and  as 
there  were  many  excellent  musicians  in  the  regiment,  Com- 


12  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

pany  I  abounding  in  them,  the  singing  was  always  inspiring. 
The  exercises  were  closed  on  the  first  Sunday  by  rather 
a  strange  doxology,  in  the  form  of  three  cheers,  caused 
by  the  disposition  of  the  soldiers,  whenever  anything 
pleased  them,  to  express  their  pleasure  by  a  yell. 

At  dress  parade  the  Chaplain,  Rev.  A.  C.  Allen,  led  in 
prayer,  the  men  removing  their  hats  and  standing  in  rever 
ential  attitude.  Among  them  was  one  whose  habits  of 
thought  had  been  formed  under  German  skies,  and  by 
atheistic  influences.  He  asserted  that  he  would  do  vio 
lence  to  his  conscience  if  he  uncovered  his  head  in  recog 
nition  of  a  Being  who  did  not  exist.  His  repugnance  to 
expressions  of  reverence,  or  considerations  of  courtesy, 
ascribed  by  his  comrades  not  so  much  to  conscientiousness 
as  to  cantankerousness,  was  the  cause  of  both  amusement 
and  vexation  to  the  authorities,  but  in  time  a  place  was 
found  for  him  in  another  branch  of  the  service,  where  his 
tender  conscience  was  less  likely  to  be  wounded. 

The  Chaplain  was  a  favorite  with  his  little  church  mili 
tant.  His  venerable  form,  his  head  crowned  with  snow- 
white  locks,  his  benignant  countenance,  impressed  his 
youthful  flock  when  he  passed  by,  with  the  feeling  that  a 
benediction  had  been  pronounced.  At  his  kindly  approach 
the  flask  disappeared,  the  pack  of  cards  dropped  out  of 
sight,  and  the  half-uttered  oath  died  unspoken. 

In  the  mess  to  which  he  belonged  were  three  mirth- 
loving  young  officers,  on  whose  heads  the  bump  of  rever 
ence  was  not  fully  developed.  Learning  that  he  had  never 
tasted  intoxicating  liquors,  they  devised  a  plan  by  which 
they  could  ascertain  whether  he  had  a  natural  liking  for 
the  article  so  largely  manufactured  in  Kentucky.  He  cer 
tainly  had  a  natural  and  a  cultivated  fondness  for  greens, 


CAMP    EXPERIENCES  13 

so  these  mischievous  youngsters  emptied  the  vinegar  cruet 
and  filled  it  with  Robinson  county  whisky.  When  dinner 
was  ready,  the  Chaplain  poured  on  a  plentiful  supply  of 
the  supposed  vinegar.  After  taking  a  mouthful  or  two  he 
leaned  back,  wiped  his  chin,  cleared  his  throat,  and  burst 
forth  with:  "It's  astonishing  what  a  difference  a  few  de 
grees  in  latitude  make  in  vegetation.  I  have  been  eating 
greens  all  my  life,  but  never  have  I  tasted  such  a  delicious 
dish  as  this." 

A  ration  or  daily  allowance  of  food  for  each  man  was 
composed  of  twelve  ounces  of  bacon,  or  one  pound  four 
ounces  of  beef,  one  pound  six  ounces  of  soft  bread  or 
flour,  or  one  pound  of  hard  bread;  and  to  every  one  hun 
dred  men  were  issued  fifteen  pounds  of  beans,  eight  pounds 
of  coffee,  fifteen  pounds  of  sugar,  four  quarts  of  vinegar, 
one  pound  four  ounces  of  candles,  four  pounds  of  soap, 
and  three  pounds  twelve  ounces  of  salt.  Rice,  potatoes, 
meal  and  molasses  were  seldom  issued,  but  desiccated, 
compressed,  mixed  vegetables  were  sometimes  substi 
tuted. 

When  bread  gave  out  the  preparation  of  food  from 
flour  was  perplexing.  The  customary  method  was  to  make 
the  flour  into  a  batter  with  water,  and  boil  it  in  grease,  as 
the  boys  had  seen  their  mothers  cook  doughnuts.  These 
slapjacks  came  dripping  from  the  unctuous  fluid,  and 
though  not  garnished  with  honey  or  treacle,  were  vo 
raciously  and  imprudently  devoured  by  the  self-satisfied 
cooks.  When  frying  was  preferred  to  boiling,  the  culinary 
artists  were  skilful  in  throwing  the  cakes  from  the  frying 
pans  high  in  the  air,  turning  them  in  the  descent. 

The  hardtack  or  sea-biscuit,  though  by  all  odds  the  most 
wholesome  article  of  food  the  soldier  received,  was  not 


14  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

always  appreciated.  ''A  good-natured  lad,"  to  quote  from 
an  officer's  letter,  "who  is  toasting  a  cracker,  exclaims, 
'Gosh,  boys,  this  here's  more'n  splendid,'  while  another 
who  has  been  pampered  at  home  retorts,  'By  jingo,  I 
could  cut  a  nice  chunk  from  a  hickory  log  and  make  a 
decenter  breakfast  of  it.'  '  J.  M.  Brown  writes  to  his  sis 
ter:  "I  am  getting  so  I  can  wash  my  shirts  as  well  as 
any  woman.  I'll  bet  I  can  beat  you."  Again:  "I  tell  you 
what,  soldiering  is  good  to  make  a  man  be  punctual,  and 
not  be  so  particular  about  his  eating." 

In  time,  negroes  who  had  escaped  from  their  masters, 
or  who  had  been  deserted  by  them,  attached  themselves  to 
the  camp.  Although  most  of  these  vagrants  had  never 
seen  any  instrument  but  a  hoe  or  an  ax,  it  was  taken  for 
granted  that  they  would  make  excellent  cooks,  so  the 
culinary  department  of  the  regiment  was  largely  placed  in 
their  hands.  The  game  of  hide  and  seek  was  often  played 
in  camp  by  slaves  and  pursuing  masters,  but  as  the  negro 
had  the  sympathy  of  the  soldiers  in  the  play,  a  case  in 
which  the  master  won  was  never  recorded.  The  ignorance 
and  the  stupidity  of  many  of  the  contrabands,  as  the  es 
caped  slaves  were  then  called,  were  almost  past  belief.  One 
day  a  negro  walked  into  camp  with  a  sack  across  his 
shoulders,  the  jug  in  one  end  of  which  was  balanced  by 
a  stone  in  the  other  end. 

While  the  men  were  at  their  meals  there  was  much  de 
bate  on  subjects  of  current  interest,  as  why  it  was  that 
boiling  made  a  shirt  shrink  till  it  became  a  halter  around 
the  owner's  neck,  while  the  same  process  stretched  socks 
till  holes  in  the  heels  were  found  on  the  calves  of  the  wear 
er's  legs?  Why  a  prohibitory  liquor  law  should  be  ex- 


CAMP    EXPERIENCES  15 

clusively  for  the  benefit  of  the  privates?  Why  the  surgeons 
prescribed  Dover's  Powders  for  rheumatism,  measles,  ty 
phoid  fever,  mumps  and  itch?  No  one  was  able  to  tell 
why,  in  the  most  harrowing  circumstances,  it  was  always 
appropriate  and  laughable  for  one  fellow  to  yell  "Grab  a 
root,"  and  another  a  quarter  of  a  mile  away  to  howl  in 
response,  "Here's  your  mule." 

Now  and  then  the  men  were  amused,  possibly  instructed, 
if  an  exalted  opinion  of  their  own  attainments  permitted, 
by  watching  the  evolutions  of  other  troops.  "A  critter 
company,"  as  people  in  the  neighborhood  called  the  cav 
alry,  made  a  charge  on  the  common  in  front  of  the  regi 
ment.  When  a  trooper  ran  over  a  cow  and  rolled  in  the 
dust  with  the  two  animals  the  men  of  the  Seventieth  were 
delighted  to  find  themselves  not  the  only  blunderers. 

It  was  naturally  hard  for  Kentucky  Union  officers  to 
keep  from  grieving  for  the  devastation  that  necessarily 
swept  over  their  State,  in  having  it  made  the  seat  of  war. 
The  commander  of  the  post,  Colonel  S.  D.  Bruce,  a  very 
pleasant  gentleman,  was  a  Kentuckian,  as  one  might 
gather  from  his  instructions  to  a  Captain  who  had  charge 
of  a  scouting  expedition:  "Tell  your  men  to  beware  of 
entering  orchards,  or  cornfields."  "Any  other  instructions, 
Sir?"  "No!  Well,  yes.  You  may  also  tell  them  to  be 
on  the  alert  for  Morgan."  We  cannot  wonder  at  the  bit 
ter  words  in  a  letter  of  the  officer  so  instructed:  "It  is 
more  important  to  keep  the  men  from  surprising  a  corn 
field,  or  a  turnip  patch,  than  to  keep  Morgan  from  sur 
prising  the  men.  And  this,  too,  while  poor  fellows  from 
want  of  fresh  food  are  sickening  daily  unto  death." 

The  hot  days  and  cold  nights  of  September,  the  poor 


16  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

water,  the  half-cooked  beans,  the  pancakes  soaked  with 
grease,  the  want  of  variety,  resulted  in  numerous  cases  of 
sickness.  At  first  the  men  from  the  farms  suffered  most, 
as  they  had  been  unaccustomed  to  irregularities  in  sleep 
and  had  not  been  exposed  to  contagious  diseases,  such  as 
the  measles,  mumps,  and  whooping  cough,  but  it  was  not 
long  until  almost  every  one  paid  the  penalty  to  the  radical 
changes  in  the  method  of  living. 

In  spite  of  all  precautions  many  went  to  the  comfortless 
hospital,  where  millions  of  flies  and  insects  more  disgusting 
rioted,  and  there  remained  till  their  comrades  bore  them 
out  for  burial.  Company  after  company  formed  with  re 
versed  arms  and  followed  the  wailing  fife  and  muffled  drum, 
as  the  wild  melody  of  Pleyel's  Hymn,  or  other  equally  sol 
emn  tune,  quivered  on  the  air.  When  the  order  came,  no 
more  funeral  dirges,  no  more  volleys  over  the  sleeping 
dust,  because  of  the  depressing  effect  on  those  who 
tremblingly  trod  the  border  line  of  life  and  death,  all  began 
to  learn  the  stern  nature  of  war.  No  place  for  the  delicate 
attentions  of  affection,  no  place  for  tokens  of  regard  for  the 
departed,  no  place  for  sighs,  no  place  for  tears.  "Let  the 
dead  bury  their  dead." 

In  a  letter  an  officer  says:  "My  company  seems  to  be 
fated.  After  I  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  so  many 
had  died,  surely  no  more  would  be  taken,  four  died  in  less 
than  a  week.  Strange  that  life  in  the  open  air,  with  really 
but  little  exposure — for  we  have  not  seen  hard  service — 
should  result  so  unfortunately.  I  am  weary  of  being  Cap 
tain.  It  is  so  terrible  to  see  men  die  whom  one  has  per 
suaded  from  their  homes." 

To  add  to  the  depression  that  spread  through  the  regi- 


CAMP    EXPERIENCES  I? 

ment,  the  indefatigable  Morgan  captured  Wilder's  com 
mand,  stationed  at  Mumfordsville,  tore  up  the  railroad 
tracks,  and  burned  the  bridges,  severing  all  connection  with 
the  North,  so  that  the  men  were  obliged  to  live  for  six 
weeks  without  letters  from  home,  hitherto  their  daily 
solace. 


CHAPTER  III. 

IN  FRONT:  BUELL  AND  BRAGG  IN  THE  REAR 

Scarcely  had  the  men  an  excuse  for  complaining  of  the 
monotonous  routine  of  drilling  and  picket,  when  the  dis 
agreeable,  vexatious  and  inglorious  work  of  guarding 
trains  and  chasing  the  ubiquitous  Morgan  was  assigned 
to  them;  duties  quite  as  dangerous  as  contending  in  open 
field  with  the  enemy. 

To  use  the  well-chosen  language  of  Miss  Catharine  Mer 
rill,  the  author  of  'The  Soldier  of  Indiana :" 

"Morgan  was  at  home  everywhere.  He  entered  at  night 
the  house  of  a  friend  within  the  Federal  lines,  slept  in  the  best 
bed,  and  departed  with  only  a  sly  recognition.  He  walked  on 
the  streets  of  a  town  which  was  full  of  Federal  soldiers,  chaf 
fered  with  the  tradespeople,  gave  them  a  wink,  and  re 
ceived  from  them  the  result  of  their  observations  as  to 
the  numbers  or  movements  of  the  enemy.  He  went  into 
a  Federal  telegraph  office,  sent  a  dispatch  to  a  friend,  or 
an  enemy,  in  the  North,  and  walked  off  unsuspected,  or 
with  threats  imposed  silence  until  his  safety  was  secured. 
He  waylaid  a  train,  destroyed  the  cars  and  took  the  pas 
sengers  prisoners.  But  his  most  common  performance 
was  a  sudden  swoop  on  Federal  pickets." 

His,  however,  was  the  'Vaulting  ambition  which  o'er- 
leaps  itself."  The  conspirators  before  the  rebellion  had 
promised  their  deluded  followers  to  carry  the  war  into 
the  Northern  States,  saying  that  the  havoc  would  not  be 
in  the  South,  and  they  put  forth  frantic  efforts  to  accom 
plish  their  purpose,  but  every  attempt  was  baffled,  Gen- 
is 


IN  FRONT:  BUELL  AND  BRAGG  IN  THE  REAR   19 

era!  Morgan  rushing  into  the  penitentiary  and  General 
Lee  into  the  stunning  defeat  at  Gettysburg.  "Poor  Mor 
gan,"  as  his  admirers  speak  of  him  on  account  of  his  fate, 
whose  delight  had  been  to  surprise  and  to  kill,  escaped 
from  confinement  to  find  that  "even-handed  justice  com 
mends  the  ingredients  of  our  poisoned  chalice  to  our  own 
lips." 

How  could  foot  soldiers  in  a  region  entirely  new  to 
them  be  expected  to  catch  this  bold  but  wily  cavalryman, 
to  whom  every  road  and  lane,  every  stream  and  hill  was 
familiar?  The  authorities  at  Washington  did  not  expect 
anything  of  the  kind,  but  the  enthusiastic  lads,  who  now 
made  their  headquarters  at  Bowling  Green,  longed  to  do 
the  unexpected, — one  might  say  to  accomplish  the  im 
possible.  They  were  ordered  to  protect  the  stores  of  pro 
visions  and  ammunition,  to  guard  the  bridges  and  that 
part  of  the  railroad  placed  in  their  charge,  and  this  they 
did  most  faithfully,  but  the  desire  to  put  a  stop  to  the 
career  of  the  audacious  guerrilla  was  irrepressible. 

On  August  twenty-first  thirty  men  under  command  of 
Lieutenant  Matlock  were  detailed  to  guard  a  train  to 
Franklin,  about  twenty  miles  south  of  Bowling  Green. 
August  twenty-sixth  Companies  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  and  F 
went  down  the  railroad  on  the  cars  in  search  of  an  enemy, 
but  returned  in  the  evening  after  a  bootless  chase.  Sep 
tember  second  one  of  the  pickets  was  shot,  and  on  the 
following  day  a  foraging  party  was  attacked.  September 
third  six  companies  mounted  the  train  in  pursuit  of  Mor 
gan,  who  was  reported  to  be  in  Franklin.  Sixteen  strag 
glers  were  captured  by  the  cavalry  that  had  accompanied 
the  expedition,  but  the  valuable  part  of  Morgan's  com 
mand  was  far  on  its  mischievous  way.  September  elev- 


20  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

enth,  just  at  dark,  Companies  B  and  I  boarded  a  train  for 
Russellville,  a  town  on  the  Tennessee  border,  secession  to 
the  core.  It  was  considered  desirable  that  the  Union 
cavalry  regiment  stationed  at  that  place  should  fall  back 
with  whatever  stores  were  in  its  possession,  and  as  an 
attack  was  expected,  the  infantry  would  be  useful  in  pro 
tecting  the  wagons.  On  the  following  day,  while  waiting 
for  the  wagons  to  be  loaded,  the  men  strolled  into  the 
neighborhood  of  the  female  academy,  attracted  as  steel 
to  the  loadstone.  Young  men  are  always  interested  in 
woman's  education.  They  were  saluted  with  cheers  for 
Jeff  Davis. 

At  night  the  column  moved  northward,  a  squadron  in 
front,  the  infantry  and  wagons  in  the  center,  and  the  rest 
of  the  cavalry  in  the  rear.  As  the  darkness  was  intense, 
there  was  much  stumbling  over  rocks  and  stumps.  On 
the  following  day  the  march  through  the  heat  and  dust 
was  exhausting,  and  when  Bowling  Green  was  reached  in 
the  evening,  the  forty  miles  having  been  done  in  twenty 
hours,  the  men  declared  each  foot  weighed  a  ton.  A  day 
or  two  later  an  officer  of  Buell's  army  remarked:  "That 
new  regiment,  so  finely  dressed,  will  soon  play  out  on  a 
long  march."  Whereupon  Colonel  Bruce  spoke  up  with, 
"Don't  you  fool  yourself!  That  regiment  is  hell  on  a 
march.  It  outmarched  a  cavalry  regiment  the  other  day." 
This  toilsome  journey  was  the  last  J.  W.  Howard  of  Com 
pany  I,  was  called  upon  to  make,  for  he  was  drowned  in 
Barren  river  on  September  fourteenth. 

Just  at  this  time  Buell's  command  made  its  appear 
ance  in  its  great  race  with  Bragg  northward.  The  Sev 
entieth  regiment  had  no  language  strong  enough  to  ex 
press  its  delight  at  meeting  old  friends,  and  its  admiration 


IN  FRONT:  BUELL  AND  BRAGG  IN  THE  REAR   21 

for  the  noble  veterans  composing  the  retreating  army.  The 
men  enjoyed  chaffing  their  acquaintances  of  Buell's  troops, 
for  being  outgeneraled  by  Bragg,  but  received  the  retort 
that  the  good-for-nothing  bridge  protectors  had  failed  to 
keep  the  road  from  being  torn  up,  so  Buell's  whole  force 
had  to  go  back  to  Louisville  to  get  a  supply  of  clothing 
for  the  winter.  No  attention  was  paid  to  the  claim  of  the 
regiment  that  no  portion  of  the  road  it  was  set  to  watch 
had  been  destroyed. 

These  veteran  friends  slipped  in  at  night  and  carried  off 
the  Seventieth's  cooking  utensils  and  everything  else  they 
could  lay  their  hands  on,  while  they  consumed  all  the 
fresh  vegetables  far  and  near,  so  the  only  sauce  the  un 
happy  bridge  guards  had  for  their  fritters  during  the  re 
maining  weeks  of  their  stay  in  Bowling  Green  was  an 
occasional  execration  of  the  retreating  heroes  who  knew 
so  well  how  to  take  care  of  themselves.  John  E.  Cleland  of 
Company  I  writes  dolefully:  "Our  camp  kettle  has  shrunk 
into  a  tin  cup  and  our  skillet  into  a  sharp  stick."  How 
ever,  as  the  regiment  had  to  do  provost  duty  in  town  dur 
ing  the  few  days  the  army  was  passing,  there  was  some 
satisfaction  in  filling  the  filthy  jail  with  pilfering  stragglers. 

At  night  the  rumbling  of  the  wagons  of  the  Confederate 
army  was  heard  by  our  men  on  the  outposts.  William 
Sharpe  of  Company  C  writes:  "While  on  picket,  I  was 
told  that  there  was  a  large  peach  orchard  about  a  mile 
away,  close  by  the  road  on  which  the  rebels  were  march 
ing.  Three  of  us  struck  out  for  this  orchard,  but  as  we 
entered  the  lower  part  we  spied  some  men  in  gray  at  the 
upper  end.  I  heard  them  cock  their  guns,  and  called  out, 
'Don't  shoot!  All  we  are  after  is  a  good  bite  of  peaches.' 
That's  what  we  want/  they  yelled  back,  'and  if  you  won't 


22  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

bother  us  we  won't  bother  you/  The  truce  held  good  and 
we  reached  the  picket  post  with  haversacks  full  of  ripe 
peaches." 

Among  the  myriad  living  creatures  Buell's  legions  left 
in  exchange  for  the  regiment's  valuables  were  several  black 
men.  One  of  these,  a  mulatto  called  Alabam,  after  the 
State  honored  as  his  birthplace,  is  worthy  of  notice  on 
account  of  the  size  of  his  feet,  which  bulged  out  as  far 
behind  his  legs  as  they  protruded  in  front.  As  cold  weather 
approached  Quartermaster  Allison,  after  much  search, 
found  a  pair  of  number  fourteen  shoes,  just  long  enough, 
but  as  Alabam's  feet  were  two  story  affairs,  much  of  the 
upper  leather  had  to  be  slit  and  some  of  it  removed.  Ala- 
bam  acted  as  laundryman  for  Colonel  Burgess,  and  for 
reasons  every  soldier  will  understand,  boiled  the  clothes  all 
night.  One  evening,  for  the  joke  of  the  thing,  the  Colonel 
gave  him  some  soiled  paper  collars,  which"  Alabam  put  into 
the  camp  kettle  to  receive  the  same  treatment  as  the  shirts. 
In  the  morning  the  negro  rushed  to  the  Colonel's  tent  in 
alarm,  exclaiming,  "O  Colonel,  dem  dar  collahs  done 
biled  all  to  pieces,  and  de  graybacks  is  a  swimmin'  'roun'  on 
de  bilen  water." 

This  same  contraband,  to  quote  Colonel  Harrison's 
words,  "improvised  a  banjo  from  the  rim  of  a  cheese-box 
and  an  old  parchment.  The  banjo  had  only  one  string,  and 
his  song  only  four  words,  but  the  picking  and  the  song 
had  the  longevity  if  not  the  melody  of  the  brook.  Hired 
by  some  mischievous  fellows,  the  musician  would  seat  him 
self  by  my  tent,  and  begin  a  serenade  more  trying  to  the 
nerves  and  more  hostile  to  sleep  than  bursting  shells." 

"Purty  little  Rhody  gal,  Purty  little  Rhody  gal,"  going 
on  forever,  keeping  step  to  the  twang  of  a  banjo  string, 


IN  FRONT:  BUELL  AND  BRAGG  IN  THE  REAR   23 

brought  the  sleeping  warrior  to  his  tent  door,  uttering 
words  instructive  to  the  howling  musician  and  highly  en 
tertaining  to  the  hidden  employers. 

On  September  seventeenth  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
leave  the  position  hitherto  occupied  and  encamp  on  a  slope 
north  and  near  the  foot  of  College  Hill.  As  at  Louis 
ville,  striking  tents  was  done  in  a  driving  rain,  and  night 
came  on  while  work  was  still  unfinished.  The  new  camp, 
though  better  for  defense,  was  a  mile  away  from  the  spring, 
and  water  had  to  be  carried  in  casks.  There  were  few 
springs  or  wells  near  the  picket  posts,  so  the  men  on  duty 
quenched  their  thirst  by  taking  lighted  candles  and  de 
scending  sink-holes,  in  some  places  more  than  a  hundred 
feet  deep,  in  order  to  find  running  water.  Sunday  after 
noon,  September  twenty-first,  the  church  members  of  the 
regiment  assembled  in  front  of  the  Colonel's  tent  and  the 
Chaplain  administered  the  sacrament. 

J.  M.  Wills  of  Company  C  writes:  "On  September 
twenty-eighth,  Captain  Ragan  and  company  were  ordered 
to  escort  fifty  paroled  prisoners  by  rail  (hog  train)  to 
Franklin,  and  turn  them  loose.  While  there  we  loaded 
one  car  partially  with  cured  meats.  Where  they  came 
from  was  always  a  mystery  to  me.  I  and  Charles  Dinwid- 
die  of  my  mess,  looked  on  these  smoked  hams  with  long 
ing,  so  I  took  all  my  clothing  out  of  my  knapsack  except 
a  pair  of  drawers  and  gave  it  to  Dinwiddie.  I  selected  the 
best-looking  ham,  wrapped  it  in  the  drawers,  and  put  it  in 
my  knapsack.  On  our  return  trip  the  boys  thoughtlessly 
began  firing  at  trees  along  the  road.  This  scared  the 
videttes  on  outpost  duty,  so  they  and  the  infantry,  too, 
fell  back.  It  so  happened  I  did  no  shooting  on  that  trip, 
but  while  sitting  by  the  door  of  the  car  with  the  muzzle  of 


24  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

my  gun  hanging  out,  the  minie  ball  slid  out.  Captain 
Ragan  tried  to  stop  the  shooting,  but  the  noise  of  the 
train  drowned  his  voice,  and  none  heard  him  except  those 
that  were  in  his  car.  When  we  alighted  from  the  train  at 
Bowling  Green  he  ordered  us  to  form  in  line  and  open 
ranks.  I  thought  he  was  going  to  inspect  knapsacks,  and 
if  he  found  the  ham  it  meant  a  guard-house  sentence.  To 
my  delight  it  was  only  an  inspection  of  guns,  and  though 
the  ball  in  my  rifle  was  out,  the  cap  was  on  the  tube.  The 
Colonel  made  a  big  growl  about  the  shooting,  but  the 
only  punishment  he  inflicted  was  a  reprimand  to  the  Ser 
geants.  The  ham  did  not  belie  its  looks  in  the  least; 
it  was  as  sweet  as  I  ever  ate  in  my  life." 

At  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  September  thirtieth,  five  hun 
dred  men  of  the  Seventieth  Indiana  and  about  one  hun 
dred  from  the  Eighth  Kentucky  cavalry  and  from  Com 
pany  K,  Sixtieth  Indiana,  all  under  the  command  of  Col 
onel  Harrison,  took  stock  cars  for  Russellville,  where 
report  said  a  Confederate  regiment  was  being  recruited.  As 
the  train  approached  Auburn  it  was  found  that  the  enemy 
had  burned  the  bridge  over  Black  Lick,  but  the  enthusiastic 
work  of  the  men  under  the  intelligent  supervision  of  Cap 
tain  Fisher,  an  old  railroad  contractor,  ably  assisted  by 
Captain  Carson,  made  an  entire  change  in  the  condition 
of  affairs.  The  woods  furnished  heavy  timbers  for  piers 
and  stringers  to  span  the  forty  feet  of  space  where  fire  had 
wrought  destruction.  This  material  was  cut,  carried  and 
placed  in  position  by  the  men.  Crossties  and  spikes  were 
picked  up,  crooked  iron  rails  were  straightened,  and  in 
less  than  three  hours  the  ravine  was  passable. 

While  the  bridge  was  building,  small  detachments  were 
sent  out  in  different  directions  and  several  prisoners  were 


IN  FRONT:  BUELL  AND  BRAGG  IN  THE  REAR   25 

brought  in.  Two  companies  surrounded  the  village  and 
cut  off  communication  with  Russellville.  An  officer  was 
ordered  to  take  his  company  and  search  the  house  of  Cap 
tain  Wood  of  the  Confederate  army,  collect  axes,  and 
capture  any  enemies  lurking  thereabouts.  The  dwelling 
was  large  and  full  of  enemies,  though  all  were  females, 
the  Captain  being  blessed  with  ten  unmarried  daughters. 
The  searchers  were  not  be  envied,  followed  as  they  were 
from  parlor  to  bedroom,  from  cellar  to  garret  by  beautiful 
anathematizing  damsels. 

Auburn  was  a  water  station,  but  the  tank  had  been 
emptied,  so  the  soldiers  had  to  carry  water  from  the  creek 
to  the  engine.  Lieutenant  Hardenbrook,  in  command  of 
fifty  men,  was  left  to  protect  the  bridge. 

When  the  train  had  approached  within  two  or  three 
miles  of  Russellville,  a  negro,  hearing  the  rumbling  of  the 
cars,  left  his  plow,  mounted  his  horse  and  came  galloping 
to  the  track.  He  reported  that  there  were  three  hundred 
cavalry  encamped  in  the  edge  of  the  town.  A  mile  farther 
on,  Companies  G,  I,  and  K,  under  command  of  Major 
Vance,  left  the  cars,  and  guided  by  the  negro  marched 
southeastward,  much  of  the  way  at  a  double-quick,  around 
the  east  side  of  the  town,  in  order  to  intercept  any  troops 
attempting  to  escape. 

The  train  then  advanced  about  a  mile,  when  the  remain 
ing  companies,  led  by  Colonel  Harrison,  moved  in  line  of 
battle  directly  southward  toward  the  camp,  Company  A, 
under  command  of  Captain  Scott,  deploying  as  skirmish 
ers.  The  enemy  was  taken  by  surprise.  The  men  were 
lying  asleep,  or  sitting  in  groups  about  the  ground.  They 
fired  a  few  shots,  then  rushed  for  their  horses,  which  were 
tied  to  trees,  fences  and  stakes,  and  were  without  saddles 


26  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

and  bridles,  some  of  the  men  pulling  frantically  at  the  halter 
straps,  while  others  jumped  upon  their  animals  first  and  cut 
the  fastenings  with  their  sabres  afterward.  Those  not  suc 
cessful  in  freeing  their  horses,  fled  on  foot,  aided  in  their 
flight  by  a  volley  from  the  approaching  skirmishers.  The 
mounted  were  more  unfortunate  than  those  who  escaped 
without  their  horses,  for  the  latter  could  hide  in  the  houses 
of  friends,  while  the  former  attempted  to  save  themselves 
by  dashing  through  the  town. 

The  three  detached  companies,  when  they  had  moved 
as  far  south  as  necessary,  turned  to  the  right,  then,  sepa 
rating,  marched  on  parallel  streets  toward  the  village; 
Company  K  on  the  road  forming  the  extreme  southern 
limit  of  the  town.  All  the  north  and  south  streets  ter 
minated  in  this  road,  which  was  bounded  by  a  high  fence, 
and  from  which  no  street  emerged  southward  except  one 
several  blocks  to  the  west.  The  cavalrymen  who  ran  the 
gauntlet  and  escaped  the  crossfire  of  Companies  G  and  I 
turned  into  this  road  just  in  front  of  Company  K,  and 
never  reached  the  opening  to  the  south. 

The  Confederate  camp  was  in  a  beautiful  grove,  and  the 
ground  was  strewn  with  saddles,  bridles,  blankets,  quilts, 
straw  bedding,  and  dry-goods  boxes,  the  latter  filled  with 
bread,  butter,  fried  chicken,  roast  beef,  cakes  and  pies, 
furnished  by  the  disloyal  citizens  of  the  town  and  sur 
rounding  country.  Before  sunset  the  regiment  was  as 
sembled  in  the  center  of  the  town,  pickets  thrown  out,  and 
houses  searched,  where  negroes  reported  concealed  fugi 
tives. 

W.  A.  Miller  of  Company  B  tells  with  great  vividness 
his  experience  in  hunting  for  a  prisoner.  He  was  ordered 
just  at  dusk  to  enter  a  warehouse  cellar  and  was  by  no 


IN  FRONT:  BUELL  AND  BRAGG  IN  THE  REAR   27 

means  enthusiastic,  as,  with  back  to  what  little  light  there 
was,  he  blindly  groped  his  way  among  boxes  and  hogs 
heads,  his  hair  fairly  standing  on  end.  Suddenly,  as  his 
hand  fell  on  the  object  of  his  search,  he  was  startled  by  a 
loud  laugh,  and  the  exclamation,  "Damn  you!  I  could  a 
blowed  a  hole  through  you  just  as  easy."  Charging  on  a 
battery  where  comrade  is  in  touch  with  comrade,  is  not  the 
only  place  where  courage  of  a  high  type  is  revealed. 

Shortly  after  nightfall  the  troops  started  on  their  return 
to  Bowling  Green,  and  on  the  following  day  attended  the 
funeral  of  Howard  Hudnut  of  Company  A,  who  fell  at 
Russellville.  The  battalion  marched  in  slow  time  at  pla 
toon  front,  keeping  step  to  the  muffled  drum,  non-com 
missioned  officers  in  command,  line  officers  in  rear  of  their 
companies  and  staff  officers  in  rear  of  the  regiment. 

Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  October  I,  1862. 
Colonel  S.  D.  Bruce,  Commanding  Provisional  Brigade: 

Sir — It  becomes  my  duty  to  submit  to  you  the  following 
report  of  the  expedition  to  Russellville,  undertaken  by  your 
orders  on  the  thirtieth  ultimo. 

The  forces  under  my  command  consisted  of  my  own  regi 
ment,  reduced  by  double  details  for  camp  guard  and  picket 
duty,  to  five  hundred  men,  Company  -  — ,  Eighth  Kentucky 
Cavalry,  Captain  Morrow  (on  foot),  and  Company  K,  Sixtieth 
Indiana,  Captain  Givens,  making  together  about  six  hun 
dred  men.  Having  loaded  the  troops  upon  and  inside  of 
boxcars,  we  proceeded  cautiously  down  the  road,  expecting 
to  find  it  obstructed.  As  we  approached  Auburn  Station, 
we  were  hailed  by  one  of  the  citizens,  and  informed  that  the 
railroad  bridge  over  Black  Lick  had  been  burned  the  night 
previous  by  a  party  of  guerrillas.  Upon  examination  I  found 
that  a  new  bridge,  some  forty  feet  in  length,  would  have  to 
be  constructed,  or  the  expedition  abandoned.  Finding  upon 
consultation  with  those  familiar  with  such  work  that  the  con- 


28  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

struction,  in  the  time  required,  of  a  new  bridge,  capable  of 
passing  the  train,  was  not  impracticable,  I  at  once  deter 
mined  to  accomplish  the  work,  and  having  sent  out  two 
companies  to  encircle  the  village  and  prevent  information 
being  sent  to  Russellville  of  our  approach,  I  detailed  large 
working  parties,  and  sent  out  squads  to  collect  axes  and 
other  tools.  Captain  Fisher  of  Company  I,  being  an  old 
railroad  builder,  was  designated  by  me  to  superintend  the 
work,  and  right  well  did  he  justify  the  choice.  In  less  than 
three  hours  he  had  felled  the  trees,  put  them  in  their  place, 
and  laid  the  rail  upon  the  superstructure,,  so  that  the  train 
passed  safely  over.  I  cannot  too  highly  commend  the  skill 
and  industry  of  Captain  Fisher  in  so  rapidly  accomplishing 
this  work,  without  which  the  expedition  must  have  been  a 
failure.  Captain  Carson  of  Company  G  also  rendered  valu 
able  assistance  in  the  work. 

While  waiting  the  completion  of  the  bridge,  I  procured  a 
diagram  of  the  approaches  to  Russellville,  after  a  close  ex 
amination  of  which  a  plan  of  attack  was  determined  upon 
in  a  council  of  the  field  officers  of  my  regiment,  together 
with  Captains  Givens  and  Morrow.  Having  left  a  guard  of 
fifty  men,  under  Lieutenant  Hardenbrook  of  Company  H,  to 
protect  the  bridge  until  our  return,  we  started  on  toward 
Russellville.  When  within  about  two  miles  of  the  place,  I 
saw  a  negro  riding  furiously  toward  us  along  the  side  of  the 
track  and  immediately  ordered  the  train  stopped  to  get  what 
information  I  could  of  the  situation  and  forces  of  the  enemy. 
I  learned  from  him  the  exact  location  of  the  rebel  encamp 
ment,  but  could  not  so  definitely  learn  their  number.  I  here 
threw  off  Companies  G,  Captain  Carson;  I,  Captain  Fisher; 
K,  Captain  Merrill,  and  Company  K,  Sixtieth  Indiana,  Cap 
tain  Givens,  under  the  command  of  Major  Vance,  for  the 
purpose  of  entering  the  town  from  the  south,  while  we  should 
attack  the  rebels  from  the  north  of  their  encampment.  I 
then  ran  on  to  within  a  mile  of  the  town,  where  I  threw  off 
the  residue  of  my  troops,  and  turning  off  to  the  right  of  the 
railroad,  through  a  cornfield,  I  deployed  Company  A,  Cap- 


IN  FRONT:  BUELL  AND  BRAGG  IN  THE  REAR   29 

tain  Scott,  as  skirmishers,  and  advanced  cautiously  toward 
the  rebel  camp.  Coming  into  an  open  field,  the  enemy  were 
discovered  in  their  camp,  when  I  ordered  the  skirmishers 
to  advance  and  open  fire,  which  they  did  in  fine  style,  their 
fire  being  but  feebly  returned  by  the  enemy.  I  brought  the 
battalion  forward,  close  upon  the  skirmishers,  but  the  enemy 
retreated  so  rapidly  that  we  could  not  come  up  with  them  so 
as  to  open  fire.  Seeing  from  the  dust  that  a  portion  of  them 
were  fleeing  along  the  road  leading  north  on  the  west  side 
of  their  encampment,  I  detached  Company  H,  Captain  Cun 
ning,  to  cut  off  their  retreat,  which  was  effected  in  good  order, 
a  few  shots  being  fired  with  good  effect.  Having  marched 
through  the  rebel  camp,  we  found  the  enemy  had  fled  in  every 
direction  and  in  the  utmost  confusion,  through  the  cornfields 
and  into  the  town,  where  they  were  hidden  in  the  houses  and 
stables.  Not  having  heard  from  Major  Vance's  party  and 
desiring  to  know  whether  the  town  itself  was  held  by  the 
enemy,  I  marched  my  command  into  the  town  and  occupied 
the  public  square,  where  I  was  joined  by  Major  Vance,  of 
whom  I  have  the  following  particulars  of  the  part  taken  by 
his  command  in  the  fight: 

After  leaving  the  cars  they  made  a  considerable  detour 
over  a  very  rough  and  thickly  wooded  country  in  order  to 
come  into  the  rear  of  the  town  and  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the 
enemy.  As  they  approached  the  streets  leading  to  the  Nash 
ville  and  Springfield  road  they  caught  sight  of  the  fleeing 
rebels  and  were  brought  forward  by  the  Major  on  the  double 
quick,  each  company  taking  a  separate  street,  all  debouching 
into  that  upon  which  the  rebels  were  retreating.  As  the 
broken  squads  of  rebel  horsemen  passed  the  posts  of  the  re 
spective  companies  they  delivered  their  fire  with  great  steadi 
ness  and  precision,  killing  and  wounding  a  large  number. 
After  the  detachments  had  been  united  in  the  town,  I  im 
mediately  detailed  Companies  C  and  E  and  sent  Lieutenant 
S.  L.  Crandall  of  the  Eighth  Kentucky  Cavalry,  who  was 
familiar  with  the  country,  to  post  them  as  pickets,  and  detailed 
squads  to  search  certain  houses  in  which  the  rebels  were  re- 


30  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ported  by  the  negroes  to  have  taken  refuge.  I  succeeded 
in  capturing  ten  prisoners,  which  number  would  have  been 
largely  increased,  but,  night  coming  on,  further  search  be 
came  impracticable.  After  loading  the  horses  and  other  prop 
erty  captured  from  the  enemy  on  the  cars,  we  returned  to 
Bowling  Green. 

We  captured  and  brought  with  us  forty-two  good  horses, 
some  fifty  shotguns  and  muskets  and  sixty  saddles,  besides 
a  large  number  of  articles,  an  inventory  of  which  has  been 
furnished  the  post  quartermaster. 

From  my  own  observation  and  from  information  received 
from  other  sources  I  estimate  the  losses  of  the  enemy  at 
thirty-five  killed  and  wounded  and  ten  prisoners. 

We  lost  one  man  killed — Howard  Hudnut  of  Company  A, 
Seventieth  Indiana.  He  received  a  shot  in  the  breast,  which 
was  instantly  fatal;  and  fell  with  his  face  toward  the  enemy. 

Captain  Scott  and  Lieutenant  Ohr  of  Company  A  led  the 
skirmishers  forward  with  great  bravery  and  deserve  especial 
mention.  The  company  manifested  great  spirit  and  steadi 
ness. 

Captain  Carson,  Company  G,  Captain  Fisher,  Company  I, 
and  Captain  Merrill,  Company  K,  Seventieth  Indiana,  and 
Captain  Givens,  Company  K,  Sixtieth  Indiana,  acting  under 
Major  Vance,  and  the  officers  and  men  under  their  command, 
behaved  gallantly  and  executed  their  part  of  the  plan  of  at 
tack  with  great  success.  Major  Vance  deserves  great  credit 
for  the  skill  and  promptness  with  which  he  brought  his  de 
tachment  forward  and  engaged  the  enemy. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Burgess  and  Adjutant  Jim  L.  Mitchell 
co-operated  efficiently  with  me  in  maneuvering  my  command 
and  were  always  at  the  post  of  duty.  Captain  Morrow  of  the 
Eighth  Kentucky  cavalry,  having  been  recently  encamped 
on  the  very  spot  occupied  by  the  enemy,  was  of  great  service 
to  me  in  directing  the  line  of  march  and  determining 
the  plan  of  attack.  His  company  was  on  the  left  of  my  line 
and  succeeded  in  getting  a  few  shots  as  the  enemy  retreated. 

The  forces  of  the  enemy  consisted  of  three  companies  of 


IN  FRONT:  BUELL  AND  BRAGG  IN  THE  REAR   3T 

Dortch's  regiment  and  an  independent  company  under  Cap 
tain  Page,  amounting  altogether  to  three  hundred  and  ifty 
men  Dortch's  command  had  the  night  before  burned  the 
brid-e  which  we  rebuilt.  We  took  the  enemy  completely 
by  surprise,  the  fire  of  our  skirmishers  being  the  first  intima 
tion  they  had  of  our  approach. 

I  should  not  omit  to  mention  that  Lieut.  J.  W.  Wallace, 
A.  A.  A.  G,  formerly  of  the  Sixteenth  Kentucky,  and  Lieut. 
J '  Andy  Wallace,  formerly  of  Company  A,  Seventieth  Indiana, 
of  your  staff,  and  Captain  Fee,  post  quartermaster,  who  ac 
companied  the  expedition  as  volunteers,  displayed  great  gal- 
lantrv,  advancing  in  the  line  of  my  skirmishers.  My  entn 
command,  officers  and  men,  manifested  the  greatest  eagerness 
to  engage  in  the  fight,  and  had  the  enemy  stood  more  reso 
lutely  to  give  us  battle,  would,  I  doubt  not,  have  displayed 
a  gallantry  and  bravery  in  the  fight  commensurate  with  thei: 
eagerness  to  engage  in  it. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

BENJAMIN  HARRISON, 
Colonel  Seventieth  Indiana  Regiment. 

Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  October  i,  1862. 
General— Rebels  burnt  bridge  at  Black  Lick,  near  Auburn, 
Monday  night.     I  sent  Seventieth  Indiana  and  part  of  the 
Eighth  Kentucky  down,  rebuilt    the    bridge,    surprised 
enemy  at  Russellville  and  routed  them  completely,  killing  ant 
wounding  fifty,  taking  fifteen  prisoners  and  forty  hor 

saddles. 

No  enemy  in  force  near  here;  small  parties  stealing  horse 

through  the  country. 

I  intend  to  whip  them  all  out.  BRUCE 

Colonel  Commanding. 
General  J.  T.  Boyle. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
TRYING   'TO   WHIP   THEM    ALL   OUT" 

The  day  at  Russellville  had  not  been  quite  long  enough, 
so  at  two  o'clock  A.  M.,  October  second,  the  regiment 
was  called  out  and  set  off  at  four  to  visit  that  town  again. 
Companies  H  and  K  picketed  the  place,  while  the  other 
companies  loaded  the  cars  with  medical  stores,  shoes,  and 
whatever  else  could  be  of  use  to  the  army,  and  a  thing  or 
two,  the  usefulness  of  which,  under  the  circumstances,  was 
doubtful.  Company  E  brought  away  a  little  printing  out 
fit,  a  hand  press,  type,  chases,  and  other  belongings.  While 
at  Bowling  Green  Wm.  Bodenhamer  and  other  typos  of 
the  company  published  a  diminutive  paper,  devoted  mostly 
to  criticism  of  commissioned  officers. 

On  the  return  trip  to  Bowling  Green  one  of  the  flat  cars 
full  of  soldiers  left  the  rails  and  went  thumping  over  the 
crossties,  tumbling  the  occupants  about  in  a  very  disagree 
able  manner.  The  only  method  of  communication  with 
the  engineer  was  through  his  ears,  and  as  those  seemed 
to  be  uncommonly  dull  there  was  something  of  a  fusillade 
before  his  attention  could  be  attracted. 

On  October  third  J.  C.  Bennett  of  Company  B  makes 
the  following  important  record:  "Made  some  apple 
dumplings,  which  were  fine,  and  would  do  to  compare 
with  any  that  women  can  make."  The  statement  in  an 
other  diary,  October  fourth,  is:  "To-day  out  of  sugar, 
and  no  chance  of  getting  more  for  eight  days."  One  day 
later  Bennett  and  the  dumplings  would  have  had  a 
sour  time  of  it.  Nothing  could  be  found  to  take  the  place 

32 


TRYING   "TO   WHIP   THEM   ALL   OUT"  33 

of  sugar,  but  when  candles  gave  out,  gravy,  a  rag,  and  a 
sardine  box  made  a  satisfactory  light. 

On  the  same  day  those  fine  dumplings  were  made  Com 
pany  K,  with  a  troop  of  cavalry,  was  ordered  to  take  the 
cars  for  Mumfordsville.  The  train  ran  to  Green  river, 
where,  on  account  of  the  destruction  of  the  bridge,  all  were 
obliged  to  leave  the  cars,  and  the  infantry  to  wade  the 
stream.  The  men  marched  over  the  late  battleground,  saw 
a  great  many  wounded,  chased  some  guerrillas,  which  even 
the  cavalry  could  not  overtake,  and  after  entering  the 
almost  deserted  village,  returned  at  dark  to  the  south  side 
of  the  river. 

A  Louisville  newspaper  of  September  thirtieth,  telling 
of  the  death  of  General  Nelson,  and  giving  much  other 
information,  was  prized  more  highly  by  members  of  the 
regiment,  who  had  been  benighted  for  a  month,  than  the 
fifteen  thousand  pounds  of  bacon  that  was  captured. 
Shortly  after  nightfall  the  infantry  took  the  cars  for  Cave 
City,  threw  out  pickets  and  awaited  the  return  of  the  scout 
ing  cavalry.  At  one  A.  M.  of  the  fourth  the  troop  came  in, 
all  boarded  the  cars,  reaching  Bowling  Green  at  daybreak. 
The  only  amusing  incident  of  the  trip  was  that  the  Captain 
in  command  rolled  off  the  top  of  the  box-car  where  he 
was  trying  to  sleep,  and  limped  for  a  week,  taking  to  him 
self  the  credit  of  being  the  only  man  wounded  on  the  expe 
dition. 

On  Sunday,  the  fifth,  nobody  complained  of  lack  of  re 
ligious  instruction,  for  three  sermons  could  have  been 
heard,  and  company  Bible  classes  were  open  for  attendance. 
A  sarcastic  observer  said:  "The  Devil  with  chuckaluck, 
his  profanity,  and  his  liquor  drinking,  made  a  big  battle 
with  the  good  Lord,  and  many  a  poor  wavering  fellow  had 


34  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

a  tough  time  fighting  first  on  one  side  and  then  on  the 
other." 

Company  G,  under  command  of  Captain  Carson,  on  the 
tenth  of  November,  took  the  train  as  far  as  Mumfordsville, 
then  marched  to  Elizabethtown,  the  men  putting  their 
knapsacks  in  the  empty  wagons  they  were  expecting  to 
fill  with  clothing  at  that  village.  Although  a  heavy  rain 
was  falling,  the  thirty-seven  miles  were  traveled  in  eleven 
hours,  the  latter  half  of  the  journey  in  the  night.  After 
a  breakfast  furnished  by  the  citizens  the  following  morn 
ing,  the  wagons  were  loaded  and  safely  guarded  to  Bowling 
Green.  The  Captain  reported  that  the  only  casualties  of 
the  march  occurred  when  a  squad  made  an  assault,  without 
orders,  on  a  liquor  saloon. 

On  October  fifteenth  five  companies  of  the  Seventieth 
and  five  hundred  cavalry  under  command  of  Colonel 
Bruce  started  on  the  train  for  Russellville.  It  was  a  very 
slow  journey,  as  the  track  had  been  badly  torn  up.  The 
night  was  spent  in  a  fine  grove,  a  former  Confederate  en 
campment,  just  at  the  edge  of  the  village.  In  the  morn 
ing  an  advance  was  made  about  three  miles  beyond  Rus 
sellville,  and  the  day  was  spent  under  the  trees.  The 
privates  felt  that  they  were  rewarded  for  all  their  disci 
plinary  hardships,  when  Colonel  Bruce  ordered  an  aide  and 
a  surgeon  out  of  a  turnip  patch.  Why  should  officers  be 
permitted  to  fill  themselves  with  raw  turnips  when  the 
men  in  the  ranks  had  to  go  empty?  Two  hours  after 
dark  the  troops  were  loaded  on  the  cars  to  return  inglori- 
ously  to  Bowling  Green,  without  even  a  turnip  to  show  for 
the  trip. 

At  eleven  P.  M.,  October  nineteenth,  the  regiment  was 
called  out  and  marched  to  the  station,  where  the  men  stood 


TRYING   "TO   WHIP   THEM   ALL   OUT"  35 

around  till  the  train  started  at  three  o'clock  next  morning. 
Hanging  on  the  top  of  a  box  car  as  it  swings  around  the 
curves  of  a  road  that  has  again  and  again  been  torn  up, 
momentarily  expecting  to  be  plunged  into  a  ravine  by  the 
omnipresent  John  Morgan,  is  exciting  enough  to  satisfy 
any  lover  of  adventure.  Then,  too,  if  a  man  is  gifted  with 
a  sense  of  the  ludicrous,  he  can  laugh  till  he  weeps  at  the 
amazing  display  of  trouserless  legs  that  have  waded  Green 
River  and  are  climbing  its  steep  banks. 

The  men  lingered  around  Mumfordsville  all  day,  feast 
ing  on  wild  grapes,  walnuts  and  pawpaws,  then  slept  in  an 
immense  appleless  orchard.  This  was  on  the  slope  of  a 
hill,  and  R.  M.  Smock  of  Company  G  began  his  slumbers 
at  the  top,  but  was  found  the  next  morning  at  the  bottom 
still  asleep.  "Blessings  light  on  him  that  first  invented 
sleep."  On  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day  the  regiment 
took  the  train  up  the  road  to  Elizabethtown  in  pursuit 
of  the  railroad  destroyer,  but  as  usual  found  that  the  bird 
had  flown  after  accomplishing  his  plundering  work.  By 
sundown  the  return  trip  to  Bowling  Green  began,  and 
continued  till  the  morning  of  the  twenty-second. 

The  arrival  of  an  immense  mail  of  over  three  thousand 
letters,  containing  the  first  news  from  home  since  Septem 
ber  eleventh,  threw  the  regiment  into  an  ecstasy  of  joy; 
even  the  poor  fellow  who  received  only  one  epistle  declared 
it  was  better  than  any  Christmas  he  had  ever  seen.  Then 
came  friends  from  the  North,  bringing  dainties  for  the 
palate,  letters  and  encouraging  words,  but  their  visits  grew 
infrequent  as  time  advanced  and  distance  from  home  in 
creased. 

One  of  these  lady  friends  wrote  home:  "All  Saturday 
and  Sunday  we  sewed  hard,  putting  linings  and  pockets 


36  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

in  overcoats,  as  the  boys  brought  not  only  their  own,  but 
the  coats  of  all  their  friends  to  us.  It  is  delightful  to  do 
anything  for  them.  But  it  is  the  funniest  thing  in  the 
world  to  see  the  poor  fellows  stand  before  our  big  looking 
glass.  As  they  have  nothing  but  little  bits  of  pocket  mir 
rors,  which  reflect  one  feature  at  a  time,  of  course  they 
have  not  seen  themselves — sunburn,  buttons  and  all — 
since  they  became  soldiers.  They  can  hardly  tear  them 
selves  away.  When,  after  many  a  lingering  look,  they  do 
get  to  the  front  door,  they  are  sure  to  run  back  for  some 
thing  they  pretend  to  have  forgotten — in  reality  to  take 
a  parting  glance.  They  haven't  a  bit  of  modesty  about  it. 
I  think  I  should  die  laughing  if  I  wasn't  so  sorry  for  them. 
I  tell  them  they  put  me  in  mind  of  the  young  men  in  the 
town  of  Union  at  the  beginning  of  the  war.  Captain 
Cramer  was  the  first  to  volunteer  and  get  a  uniform.  Of 
course  he  had  his  picture  taken.  And  what  should  every 
fellow  in  town  do  but  borrow  the  captain's  suit,  run  down 
to  the  wagon — the  daguerreotype  office  was  a  big  covered 
wagon — and  get  his  likeness.  Perhaps  it  gave  them  reso 
lution  to  enlist,  for  they  did  one  and  all." 

Near  midnight,  October  twenty-third,  Companies  E,  G, 
and  K  stowed  themselves  away  in  army  wagons,  fourteen 
in  a  vehicle,  and  accompanied  by  a  squadron  of  cavalry 
and  a  section  of  artillery,  made  a  rapid  movement,  under 
the  command  of  Major  Vance,  in  an  attempt  to  surprise 
the  enemy.  About  an  hour  before  day  a  deserted  camp 
was  discovered  with  fires  still  burning.  Here  the  infantry 
left  the  wagons,  took  up  the  double  quick,  and  the  whole 
command  pushed  on  to  Woodbury,  where  several  pris 
oners,  a  number  of  horses,  besides  arms  and  saddles,  were 
captured.  The  command  hurried  toward  Morgantown, 


TRYING  "TO   WHIP  THEM   ALL  OUT"  37 

threw  a  few  shells  at  the  enemy's  scampering  rear  guard, 
then  turned  homeward.  After  supper  at  Woodbury,  given 
at  the  citizens'  expense,  the  men  stumbled  for  four  miles 
across  the  country,  through  a  dense  forest,  halting  shortly 
before  midnight,  to  be  on  the  march  again  an  hour  before 
day.  The  food  in  the  haversacks  had  given  out,  so  raven 
ous  appetites  were  quieted  by  haws,  wild  grapes,  crab- 
apples  and  persimmons.  When  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
twenty-fifth  the  men  reached  camp,  well  prepared  to  ap 
preciate  hard  tack  and  bacon,  it  was  amusing  to  hear  them 
tell  their  comrades  who  had  not  accompanied  them  how 
superior  numbers  had  been  chased,  of  the  hairbreadth 
escape  of  both  the  enemy  and  themselves,  and  of  the  deli 
cious  feast  at  Woodbury. 

With  this  expedition,  some  say  with  the  Russellville 
fray,  comes  upon  the  stage  an  animal,  that  as  a  representa 
tive  of  his  important  branch  of  the  service,  perhaps  de 
serves  mention.  While  he  was  attending  one  of  the 
regimental  reunions,  the  editor  of  the  Martinsville  Repub 
lican  extracted  from  the  grayhaired  lads,  who  were  stand 
ing  around  patting  the  horse,  the  following  facts  for  his 
biography:  "Billy  was  formerly  in  the  ranks  of  John  Mor 
gan's  celebrated  raiders,  and  was  captured  at  Morgantown, 
Kentucky, in  October,  1862,  by  the  Seventieth  Indiana.  He 
was  bought  of  the  Government  by  the  Chaplain  of  the  regi 
ment,  and  shortly  afterwards  sold  to  another  officer,  with 
whom  he  took  part  in  that  memorable  and  glorious  march 
to  the  sea,  doing  his  duty  faithfully,  and  always  evincing  a 
desire  to  be  at  the  head  of  the  regiment.  During  the 
march  to  Atlanta  all  the  horses  in  the  brigade  died  from 
starvation  except  Billy,  who  was  pulled  through  on  a  diet 
of  leaves,  and  was  in  quite  a  reduced  state  when  he  par- 


3S  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ticipated  with  Sherman  in  the  capture  of  that  city.  Billy 
was  of  a  very  mischievous  disposition,  and  it  was  im 
possible  to  tie  or  confine  him  in  any  way  except  with  a 
chain  and  lock,  and  even  then  he  would  sometimes  manage 
to  slip  the  chain  over  his  head  and  go  cantering  about  the 
camp  searching  for  provender  in  the  haversacks  of  the 
soldiers,  his  joy  culminating  when  by  biting  and  kicking 
the  other  animals  he  could  make  them  break  loose  and 
charge  among  the  sleepers  in  a  general  stampede.  While 
at  Wauhatchie  Valley  his  owner  was  annoyed  by  losing 
on  Lookout  Mountain,  miles  away  from  camp,  a  large 
bandanna  handkerchief  that  had  been  sent  to  him  by  a 
friend  in  the  North.  That  night  Billy  slipped  his  chain 
and  roamed  at  will  on  the  mountain  ridge.  In  the  morning 
he  came  tearing  into  camp,  red  bandanna  in  mouth,  and 
it  was  only  after  a  tantalizing  chase  of  a  host  of  laughing 
pursuers  that  he  was  captured  and  induced  to  give  up  his 
find.  Once  during  his  nocturnal  meandering  he  was  mis 
taken  for  a  'Reb'  by  a  nervous  picket,  who  fired  at  him, 
causing  a  general  alarm.  Billy  was  never  known  to  break 
a  buggy  but  once,  and  that  was  when,  viewing  a 
Democratic  procession,  a  picture  of  the  presidential  can 
didate  was  turned  suddenly  towards  him.  This  was  too 
much  for  the  old  war  horse,  and  he  proceeded  to  demolish 
the  buggy  and  leave  that  vicinity  instantly.  Billy  showed 
no  attachment  to  any  individual,  but  he  was  extremely 
fond  of  the  regiment  as  a  body,  and  very  restless  when 
separated  from  it.  Some  weeks  after  his  arrival  at  Indian 
apolis,  the  war  being  over,  he  escaped  confinement,  and 
made  a  bee  line  for  the  South  in  search  of  the  Seventieth. 
When  six  miles  on  his  march  through  the  country  Captain 
Carson  chanced  to  meet  and  halt  him."  Billy  passed  his 


TRYING   "TO   WHIP   THEM   ALL   OUT"  39 

last  days  in  leisure  and  comfort,  and  died  a  natural  death 
at  the  ripe  age  of  thirty-two. 

Bowling  Green,  October  29,   1862. 
Colonel  Bruce: 

Sir — The  order  imposing  upon  me  the  command  of  an 
expedition  in  search  of  Morgan  in  the  region  of  Brownsville 
or  Woodbury  was  received  at  1 1 130  Thursday  evening,  Octo 
ber  twenty-sixth.  By  twelve  o'clock  the  column  was  in  mo 
tion.  Inasmuch  as  the  order  left  the  "point  and  mode  of 
attack  open  to  the  discretion  of  the  officers,"  it  was  unani 
mously  agreed  to  direct  our  march  upon  Woodbury,  as  indi 
cations  of  the  presence  of  the  enemy  there  were  much  stronger 
than  at  Brownsville,  and  in  case  of  failure  there  the  latter 
place  might  be  included  in  the  return  route.  The  command 
consisted  of  the  following  detachments,  moving  in  the  order 
they  are  mentioned:  Companies  of  the  Eighth  Kentucky 
Cavalry  under  Major  Weathersford,  two  pieces  of  artillery 
under  command  of  Lieutenant  Swaner;  three  companies  of 
the  Seventieth  Indiana  Infantry  under  command  of  Captain 
Merrill;  one  company  of  the  Ninth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry; 
eight  companies  of  the  Fourth  Kentucky  Cavalry  under  Cap 
tain  Kurfuss.  I  was  convinced  it  would  be  impossible  to 
reach  Woodbury,  twenty-two  miles  distant,  in  time  for  a  day 
light  attack,  for  the  artillery  and  infantry  necessarily  rendered 
the  march  slow.  Every  precaution  that  advanced  guards  and 
videttes  could  insure  was  taken  to  prevent  information  of 
our  approach  being  conveyed  ahead.  By  three  o'clock  we 
had  marched  ten  miles.  The  videttes  here  reported  suspi 
cious  fires  ahead.  The  column  was  halted  and  Major  Weath 
ersford  was  sent  forward  to  investigate.  He  reported  what 
he  believed  to  be  a  rebel  camp,  indicated  by  numerous  fires 
burning  brightly.  The  infantry  was  instantly  ordered  for 
ward.  Scouts  and  skirmishers  were  sent  out  to  ascertain  the 
force  and  locality;  they  returned  and  reported  that  the  enemy, 
apparently  in  small  force,  had  left  after  putting  out  their 
fires.  I  might  as  well  state  here  that  upon  our  return  march 


40  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

the  owner  of  the  ground  where  they  had  encamped  told  me 
that  a  squad  of  thirty  or  forty  had  stopped  there  for  the  night 
and  were  notified  of  our  approach  by  the  noise  of  the  artil 
lery  lumbering  over  the  rocky  hills.     At  eight  o'clock  A.  M. 
we  stopped  to  feed  the  horses  four  miles  from  Woodbury. 
It  was  now  evident  that  dispatch  alone  could  insure  any  suc 
cess.     The  roughness  of  the  road  rendered  the  advance  of 
the  artillery  and  infantry  very  slow.     I  therefore  ordered  the 
cavalry  to  dash  rapidly  on  to  Woodbury,  leaving  the  artillery 
and  infantry  to  follow  as  expeditiously  as  possible.     We  con 
tinued  our  advance  on  the  main  Morgantown  road  to  within 
two  miles  of  Woodbury,  where  the  column  took  a  branch 
road  to  that  place  to  the  right.    At  this  time  the  vidette  guard 
of  three   men   with   Lieutenant   Morgan   were   out   of  sight 
ahead.    The  guide  with  them  had  forgotten  the  order  to  take 
the  branch  to  the  right  at  this  place  (the  main  Woodbury 
road  leaving  the  Morgantown  road  two  miles  farther  ahead) 
and  had  continued  upon  the  main  road.  The  whole  column  had 
not    yet    entered    the    branch    road,    and    I    had    sent    an 
orderly  forward  to  see  if  the  videttes  had,  as   I   suspected, 
taken  the  wrong  road,  when  half  a  dozen  pistol  shots  were 
fired  from  the  Morgantown  road  to  the  left  and  almost  abreast 
of  us.    A  moment  afterward  a  negro  on  horseback  and  carry 
ing  a  basket  came  galloping  through  the  woods  from  whence 
the  firing  took  place.     We  halted  him  and  learned  that  the 
videttes  had   exchanged   shots   with  three  rebel   cavalrymen 
to  whom  he  had  just. been  sent  with  provisions.    (We  retained 
his  horse).     In  the  meantime  Lieutenant  Morgan  had  gal 
loped  back  to  the  forks  of  the  road  and  found  all  the  column 
but   four   companies   of  the   Fourth   Kentucky    Cavalry   had 
entered  the  Woodbury  branch.    These  he  detached  and  took 
rapidly  along  after  the  videttes.     The  column  then  took  the 
double  quick  until  it  reached  Woodbury.     A  few  squads  of 
rebel   soldiers  loitering  upon   their  horses,   twenty   or  thirty 
in  number,  were  taken  completely  by  surprise  and  laid  down 
their  arms.     We  here  learned  that  at  nine  o'clock  five  hun 
dred  rebel  cavalry  had  passed  through  on  their  way  to  Mor- 


TRYING   "TO   WHIP   THEM   ALL   OUT"  41 

gantown,  where  it  seems  Morgan  was  having  a  general  ren 
dezvous.  All  accounts  seemed  to  place  his  whole  force  at 
about  two  thousand  at  least,  with  one  piece  of  artillery.  There 
were  besides  his  own  men,  Duke's  and  Gano's  regiments  and 
Breckinridge's  battalion.  A  council  of  war  was  held  and  it 
was  unanimously  decided  to  proceed  to  Morgantown  with 
our  six  hundred  and  sixty-nine  men  as  soon  as  the  artillery 
and  infantry  came  up.  We  left  at  twelve  o'clock.  Before 
leaving  I  dispatched  two  men  with  a  guide  to  inform  the 
four  companies  on  the  Morgantown  road  that  they  were  to 
await  further  orders  at  the  intersection  of  that  road  and  a 
byroad  uniting  it  with  the  road  from  Woodbury  to  Morgan- 
town.  After  proceeding  some  distance  a  courier  from  these 
companies  overtook  us  and  informed  me  that  they  had  fol 
lowed  the  three  men  who  fired  on  our  advance  so  rapidly  as 
to  reach  their  camp  of  about  sixty  recruits,  situated  two  miles 
from  Morgantown,  before  they  had  made  all  preparations  for 
one  of  their  characteristic  departures ;  that  his  men  discharged 
their  revolvers  with  no  other  known  effect  than  a  marked 
acceleration  of  their  speed;  that  several  prisoners  and  horses 
had  been  taken  and  a  quantity  of  camp  equipage  and  blan 
kets.  About  a  mile  from  Morgantown  I  detached  the  re 
maining  three  companies  of  the  Fourth  Kentucky  Cavalry 
and  sent  them  across  by  the  above  mentioned  byroad  to  join 
the  four  companies  on  the  Morgantown  road,  with  orders 
that  together  they  should  enter  the  town  upon  that  side.  As 
we  neared  the  hill  on  which  the  town  is  situated  a  troop  of 
rebel  cavalry  disappeared  through  the  woods  on  the  hill  to 
the  left  of  the  road.  Their  unfinished  dinner  evinced  that 
they  had  just  left  their  camp,  which  lay  at  the  foot  of  the 
hill  and  on  both  sides  of  the  road.  I  ordered  the  artillery 
into  position  and  began  shelling  the  woods  where  they  dis 
appeared  and  the  road  beyond  the  hill,  while  the  infantry 
and  cavalry  dashed  up  the  road  into  town  at  the  same  in 
stant  the  Fourth  Kentucky  entered  upon  the  left.  We  found 
that  the  rebels  had  retreated,  John  Morgan,  who  had  spent 
the  night  before  in  the  place,  having  received  information  of 


42  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

our  approach  and  left  half  an  hour  before  with  all  his  force 
except  those  encamped  at  the  foot  of  the  hill.  He  had  taken 
the  road  to  Russellville,  but  the  dilapidated  state  of  the  cav 
alry,  for  whom  this  was  the  eleventh  consecutive  day  of  inces 
sant  travel,  rendered  further  pursuit  out  of  the  question.  I  re 
turned  to  Woodbury,  where  I  had  ordered  an  ample  supper  for 
my  whole  command  to  be  prepared;  after  which  we  marched 
four  miles  toward  Bowling  Green  and  encamped  for  the 
night.  Captain  Waltman,  with  a  company,  met  us  there  and 
returned  with  us  next  day.  We  reached  Bowling  Green  at 
five  P.  M.  on  Saturday.  We  captured  forty-five  horses  and 
accoutrements  and  forty  prisoners,  of  whom  twenty-five  were 
Morgan's  men  with  arms  and  equipments.  Of  the  behavior 
of  the  command,  for  which  the  order  held  me  responsible,  I 
will  only  say  that  with  a  few  individual  exceptions,  it  was 
unexceptionable ;  the  cavalry  and  artillery  troops,  hungry  and 
exhausted  at  the  start,  displayed  an  alacrity  and  obedience 
and  an  enthusiasm  in  the  pursuit  that  was  highly  commend 
able.  Major  Weathersford,  every  inch  a  gentleman  and  a  sol 
dier,  rendered  me  valuable  advice  in  our  consultations  and  aid 
in  the  execution  of  our  plans.  Lieutenant  Morgan  deserves 
especial  mention  for  his  active  efficiency  as  my  aid. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  yours, 

SAMUEL  C.  VANCE, 
Major  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers. 


CHAPTER  V. 

NEW   COMMANDERS   AND    NEW   SCENES 

The  Seventieth  Regiment  was  now  assigned  to  Gen. 
W.  T.  Ward's  Brigade,  and  to  the  Twelfth  Division,  under 
command  of  Gen.  E.  Dumont.  Before  bidding  goodbye 
to  Bowling  Green  four  hundred  men  of  the  regiment  took 
the  train  and  started  in  the  direction  of  Russellville.  A 
disloyal  engineer  had  succeeded  in  running  off  one  of  the 
finest  locomotives  belonging  to  the  L.  &  N.  R.  R.,  and 
now  that  its  services  were  so  badly  needed,  its  loss  was 
seriously  felt.  The  stolen  engine  ran  fourteen  miles,  when 
the  water  gave  out,  and  its  boiler  was  injured  by  the  fire; 
then  it  was  deserted  by  its  purloiner.  The  all-night  trip 
through  the  frosty  air  made  all  admit,  before  the  engine 
was  recaptured  and  returned,  that  one  iron  horse  thief 
could  do  much  damage  and  produce  much  discomfort. 

An  order  was  received  from  General  Rosecrans  detailing 
two  men  from  each  company  to  join  the  force  that  was 
to  constitute  the  Pioneer  Corps.  The  following  letter 
shows  how  valuable  this  organization  became: 

Los  Angeles,  California,  September  24th,  1894. 
Ebenezer  Harbert,  Esq.,  Whiteland,  Johnson  County,  Ind.: 
Dear  Sir — In  reply  to  your  favor  of  August  25th  in  regard 
to  the  services  of  the  Pioneer  Corps  of  our  Army  of  the  Cum 
berland,  I  beg  to  state  that  no  branch  of  the  service  was  more 
necessary  or  did  more  efficient  or  faithful  work.  When  I  ar 
rived  to  take  charge  of  the  army  I  found  it  had  no  pioneer 
corps,  no  sappers,  miners,  or  pontooniers,  no  bridge  train,  so 
indispensable  to  the  efficient  work  of  an  army,  in  the  midst  of 
a  country  interspersed  with  rivers  and  mountains.  Although 

43 


44  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

the  regiments  were  much  depleted  from  the  full  complement 
of  men,  I  found  it  necessary  to  draw  from  them  for  a  force 
to  constitute  the  "Pioneer  Corps,"  and  detailed  two  men  from 
each  company  of  infantry  accordingly. 

To  show  how  proficient  and  skilled  in  its  work  this  or 
ganization  became,  and  how  necessary  to  the  army  the 
Pioneer  Corps  was,  I  will  say  this  force,  later  on,  constructed 
at  Caperton's  Ferry  across  the  Tennessee  River  a  pontoon 
bridge  at  the  rate  of  five  feet  a  minute,  completing  between  7 
A.  M.  and  n  A.  M.  a  bridge  of  twelve  hundred  and  fifty-four 
feet  in  length. 

These  men  deserve  the  highest  commendation,  as  they  were 
detailed  on  special  duty  and  were  under  the  disadvantage  of 
being  separated  from  their  original  commands,  and  were  thus 
prevented  from  keeping  up  official  records,  and  were  cut  off 
from  the  pathway  of  promotion. 

Regarding  the  incident  of  the  gun  trial  in  the  bed  of  Stone 
River,  in  which  you  participated,  I  remember  the  affair  well, 
as  it  was  the  first  official  trial  of  the  celebrated  "Catling  Gun/' 
which  was  afterwards  improved  and  came  to  be  so  effective 'a 
weapon.  With  fraternal  regards  and  wishes  for  your  welfare, 
I  remain,  Yours  very  truly, 

W.  S.  ROSECRANS. 

On  the  afternoon  of  November  tenth  General 
Dumont's  command  moved  out  eight  miles  and  encamped 
on  Drake's  Creek,  continuing  the  march  next  day  and 
reaching  a  permanent  encampment  at  Scottsville  on  the 
twelfth.  While  remaining  in  this  town  the  troops  were 
aroused  every  morning  before  the  first  streak  of  day  by  the 
roar  of  a  cannon,  and  stood  in  line  of  battle  till  sunrise. 

The  people  in  the  neighborhood  of  Scottsville  were 
typical  poor  whites,  ignorant  and  credulous.  Some  of  the 
soldiers  took  advantage  of  these  characteristics,  and  claim 
ing  that  everything  was  fair  in  war,  used  the  little  cards 
attached  to  the  clothing,  on  which  were  the  tailors'  size 


NEW    COMMANDERS    AND    NEW    SCENES  45 

numbers,  as  currency,  in  trading  for  chickens  and  sweet 
potatoes.  Even  canceled  postage  stamps  became  valuable  in 
unscrupulous  hands,  and  were  exchanged  for  eggs  and 
cornmeal.  Some  of  the  citizens  of  this  hilly  region,  in 
spite  of  their  credulity,  were  so  suspicious  that  they  insisted 
on  having  new  postage  stamps  marked  before  receiving 
them.  When  a  soldier  was  pining  for  fresh  vegetables,  and 
had  nothing  but  virgin  stamps  to  trade,  he  had  to  be  some 
thing  of  a  moral  philosopher  to  refuse  to  deal  with  people 
who  insisted  upon  being  swindled. 

Unfortunately  two  or  three  men  in  the  regiment,  with 
little  temptation,  acted  on  the  belief  that  "wit  and  wis 
dom  born  with  a  man,"  were  to  be  used  in  getting  the 
better  of  their  fellows.  "All  is  fair  in  war"  covered  a  multi 
tude  of  peccadillos.  One  such,  at  a  later  date,  meeting  a 
citizen  near  Nashville,  asked  the  time  of  day.  When  the 
watch  was  taken  out  he  exclaimed  with  an  air  of  surprise: 
"That  is  mine!"  "No,"  said  the  stranger,  "I  paid  the 
jeweler  sixty  dollars  for  it."  "That  may  be,  but  it  was 
stolen  from  me,  and  my  name,  M.  T.  Tobias,  is  engraved 
within  the  case."  Sure  enough  the  name  was  there,  and 
the  watch  was  delivered  to  the  claimant,  for  the  owner  was 
not  shrewd  enough  to  guess  that  the  inscription  was  the 
name  of  the  manufacturer. 

Later  still,  in  North  Carolina,  a  simple-minded  couple 
were  induced  to  put  their  trust  in  and  confide  their  posses 
sions  to  a  make-believe  relative,  only  to  find  their  confi 
dence  betrayed.  If  "it  must  be  that  such  offenses  come," 
one  could  wish  that  a  comrade  were  not  implicated,  and 
that  other  comrades  would  not  laugh  at  transactions  that 
had  more  treachery  than  fun  in  them. 

A  rather  peculiar  desertion  occurred  in  Scottsville.     A 


46  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

strolling,  half-witted  preacher  had  been  encouraged  by  his 
parishioners  to  enlist,  and  seemed  brightened  for  a  time 
by  patriotism  or  discipline  or  the  semi-roving  life  of  the 
soldier,  but  his  greed  was  such  that  he  could  not  pass  a 
shirt  or  trousers  thrown  away  in  the  fatigue  of  the  march; 
and  as  he  always  donned  these  acquisitions,  never  taking 
them  off  to  wash,  his  presence  became  offensive.  When 
one  night,  clad  in  nine  shirts  and  five  pairs  of  pantaloons, 
and,  as  many  averred,  a  sheet-iron  coat  of  mail,  he  rushed 
by  the  sentinel  shouting,  "John  Derusha  Hopkins  will  not 
halt,"  everybody  commended  the  guard  for  not  shooting. 

On  the  twenty-fifth  of  November  the  division  moved 
from  Scottsville  southward.  A  number  of  wagons  had 
been  pressed  into  the  service  by  the  inspector-general  on 
General  Dumont's  staff,  and  many  of  the  men  who  were 
not  well  rode  from  time  to  time,  and  many  also  quite  im 
prudently  relieved  themselves  of  their  knapsacks.  As  some 
of  the  wagons  did  not  keep  up  with  the  advance  troops, 
there  was  shivering  on  the  hillside  the  first  night. 

The  following  day,  the  line  separating  Kentucky  from 
Tennessee,  marked  by  a  large  stone,  was  crossed.  The 
Chaplain  mounted  this  landmark  and  proposed  three 
cheers,  which  swelled  into  bursts  of  shouting  as  the  men 
approached  the  stone  and  discovered  for  what  they  were 
yelling.  The  band  struck  up  Dixie,  and  there  was  rejoic 
ing,  as  if  new  territory  had  been  gained.  The  slightest 
ripple  on  the  monotonous  current  of  drill  and  guard  and 
march  was  welcome  to  the  boys.  They  were  highly 
amused  when  a  rabbit  suddenly  jumped  from  the  brush 
into  the  road,  at  seeing  General  Dumont  put  spurs  to  his 
horse  and  pursue  the  fleet  creature  till  it  disappeared  in  a 
culvert.  The  general  was  on  foot  in  a  twinkling  at  the 


NEW   COMMANDERS   AND    NEW   SCENES  47 

entrance,  and  the  frightened  animal  sprang  from  the  other 
end  of  the  culvert  into  the  hands  of  Captain  Braden,  the 
chief  of  staff. 

The  regiment  reached  Gallatin  on  the  evening  of  the 
twenty-sixth,  and  the  Seventieth  encamped  immediately 
adjoining  General  Dumont's  headquarters.  The  general, 
observing  the  difficulty  the  men  had  in  going  over  the  great 
distances  necessary  to  obtain  wood,  made  the  remark  that 
he  thought  the  situation  would  justify  them  in  taking  the 
top  rail  of  a  near  fence.  The  bottom  rail  was  soon  the  top 
one,  and  everybody  was  well  supplied  with  fuel. 

Snow  fell  a  few  days  after  the  troops  arrived,  and  many 
schemes  were  devised  to  make  the  tents  comfortable. 
Two  sergeants  from  Indianapolis  entered  an  engine  house, 
took  the  brass  dome  off  a  locomotive,  hung  it  on  a  rail,  and 
started  to  camp,  expecting  to  use  it  as  a  stove.  They 
were  arrested  by  a  guard  and  marched  threatening,  swear 
ing,  protesting  and  pleading  every  step  of  the  way  to  Gen 
eral  Thomas'  headquarters.  The  language  of  the  General 
was  anything  but  mild  as  he  asked  them,  among  other 
questions,  what  kind  of  material  they  thought  they  were 
made  of  that  they  needed  a  five  hundred  dollar  stove  to 
warm  themselves  with?  The  guard  was  ordered  to  make 
them  return  the  "stove"  to  the  engine  that  would  have 
been  ruined  without  it.  There  was  little  pleasure  to  these 
non-commissioned  officers  in  carrying  the  heavy  thing  a 
mile,  but  the  spectacle  afforded  unbounded  delight  to  the 
privates,  who  cheered  them  on  their  line  of  march. 

The  regiment  was  put  to  work  on  a  fortification  under 
the  superintendence  of  the  chief  of  engineers  on  General 
Rosecrans'  staff,  who  kept  the  spades  going  by  night  as 
well  as  by  day.  Captain  Meredith  writes:  "It  was  fun 


4&  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

to  see  the  Company  E  boys,  many  of  whom  had  been 
printers'  devils,  but  few  of  whom  had  ever  handled  a  pick 
or  shovel  before,  pitch  into  that  work.  Frank  Myers,  a 
German,  and  Joe  Landormie,  a  Frenchman,  gifted  mimics, 
began  jabbering  an  imitation  of  Irish  laborers,  and  soon 
the  whole  gang  was  making  the  air  green  with  the  sweet 
brogue  of  Erin.  The  regular  army  officer  in  charge  of 
the  work  congratulated  himself  on  his  good  fortune  in 
getting  hold  of  so  many  Irishmen,  and  when  the  company 
was  relieved  actually  complimented  the  men  on  the  amount 
of  work  accomplished." 

Shoveling  around  the  fort  cut  short  somewhat  the  hours 
of  drill,  but  this  was  not  the  only  interference.  J.  H.  Kelly, 
of  Company  I,  tells  of  a  pugnacious  billy-goat  that  roamed 
over  the  common,  picking  up  any  food  dropped  by  the 
boys,  and  then  lunching  on  a  canteen.  He  was  ready  to 
light  on  the  smallest  provocation,  and  gave  the  officers 
not  a  little  trouble  when  they  were  moving  backwards  in 
front  of  their  companies,  for  he  seemed  to  know  that  even 
the  bravest  could  not  stand  an  attack  in  the  rear.  When 
he  grew  weary  of  tormenting  the  Captain,  he  would  fall 
behind  the  company,  there  to  have  his  wrath  aroused  again 
by  some  mischievous  soldier  in  the  rear  rank  challenging 
him  with  the  shake  of  a  coat  tail.  There  was  always  a 
charge,  and  as  often  a  rout. 

A  letter  from  J.  M.  Brown,  Gallatin,  December  third, 
states :  "We  are  living  on  cornbread  now.  We  press  corn 
and  take  it  to  a  mill  about  a  mile  from  camp  and  swap  it  for 
meal.  Then  we  make  hoe  cakes  and  all  such  good  things." 

One  of  the  privates  tells  a  shocking  story  of  the  way 
his  Captain  was  made  to  "look  sick."  When  a  man  was 
caught  in  some  misconduct,  the  Captain's  stereotyped  com- 


NEW   COMMANDERS    AND    NEW   SCENES  49 

mand  to  the  sergeant,  made  in  a  deep  guttural  tone,  was, 
"Put  him  on  extra  duty."  One  night  at  roll  call  the  Ser 
geant  was  running  down  the  list  in  a  perfunctory  way,  and 
repeated  a  name  three  times  without  receiving  a  response. 
The  Captain,  who  was  standing  by,  growled,  "Put  him  on 
extra  duty,"  when  a  voice  from  the  ranks  that  made  the 
air  chilly  cried,  "O  Lord,  Captain,  he's  been  dead  and 
buried  two  weeks." 

Under  the  light  of  subsequent  events  a  quotation  from 
a  letter  of  Captain  Meredith  reads  curiously:  "The  way 
the  Copperheads  have  been  acting  at  home  caused  a  mass 
meeting  of  indignant  soldiers,  over  which  General  Paine, 
our  post  commander,  presided.  There  were  good  speak 
ers,  General  Dumont  among  the  rest,  and  there  was  great 
enthusiasm.  Our  Colonel,  Ben.  Harrison,  was  the  junior 
officer  on  the  platform,  and  his  speech  did  not  come  until 
the  others  were  through.  Right  away  he  riveted  the  at 
tention  of  that  mass  of  men,  held  it  undivided  for  about 
an  hour,  and  was  cheered  vociferously  when  he  closed. 
General  Paine  slapped  me  on  the  back  and  exclaimed,  'By 
George,  Captain,  that  Colonel  of  yours  will  be  President  of 
the  United  States  some  day.' ' 

On  December  twelfth  the  regiment  broke  camp  and 
moved  down  the  Nashville  road  to  engage  in  the  work  of 
guarding  railroad  bridges.  Companies  A,  B,  C  and  D 
were  located  at  Drake's  Creek;  E  and  F  at  Edgefield;  G 
and  H  at  Saundersville,  I  and  K  at  Pilot  Knob.  The  men 
at  the  latter  place,  when  not  drilling  and  off  duty,  amused 
themselves  by  running  foot  races  and  snowballing.  The 
companies  were  pitted  against  one  another  during  a  snow 
storm,  and  when  the  contest  took  on  the  form  of  deciding 
which  was  the  strongest,  by  capturing  the  chiefs,  the  cap- 


50  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

tains  found  themselves  in  rags  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
struggle. 

Again  a  quotation  from  J.  M.  Brown:  "December 
twenty-fourth,  ten  miles  below  Gallatin.  You  say  you 
killed  hogs  last  week.  Well,  we  kill  hogs  every  day  or  two. 
Jim  and  Lou  and  I  are  washing  to-day  and  making  hom 
iny.  We  are  fixing  for  Christmas."  Letters  not  only  give 
a  view  of  army  life,  but  glimpses  too  of  home  affairs.  The 
same  lad  thus  teases  his  sisters:  "I  expect  you  see  a  great 
old  time  of  a  Sunday  night?  Do  you  spark  in  the  parlor 
at  our  house,  or  do  they  come  home  with  you  from  meet 
ing  and  then  go  home  without  coming  in?"  Then  a 
thought  seems  to  strike  him  that  arouses  his  patriotic  in 
dignation:  "I  think  if  a  man  is  big  enough  to  go  with  the 
girls  he  is  big  enough  to  go  into  the  army." 

As  the  old  year  was  dying  and  the  new  year  was  ap 
proaching  with  melancholy  tread,  and  while  the  men  of 
our  regiment  were  watching  the  connections  with  the 
North  of  General  Rosecrans'  struggling  army,  the  deep 
low  boom  of  artillery  at  Stone  River,  forty  miles  away, 
could  be  heard;  and  inexpressible  anxiety  was  felt  for  the 
result  of  the  battle. 

For  some  reason  Quartermaster  Allison,  though  he 
made  every  possible  effort,  was  for  a  long  time  unable  to 
get  clothing  for  the  regiment,  and  many  of  the  men  were 
absolutely  in  tatters.  At  last  about  a  dozen  pairs  of 
trousers  for  each  company  was  received.  The  distribution 
to  each  of  their  commands,  as  the  captains  described  it, 
was  very  amusing,  but  that  of  Company  E,  as  being  more 
characteristic,  is  best  entitled  to  a  place  in  history.  The 
Captain  of  this  company  reported :  "In  order  to  deter 
mine  who  needed  the  pantaloons  the  worst  the  company 


NEW    COMMANDERS    AND    NEW    SCENES  51 

was  mustered  in  one  line  for  inspection.  The  front  view 
was  bad  enough,  but  when  the  command  about  face  was 
given  the  aspect  was  fearful.  The  rascals  had  received  a 
hint  of  the  object  of  the  muster,  and  had  made  prepara 
tions  accordingly.  They  were  all  so  ragged  that  it  was 
decided  to  determine  by  lot  who  should  take  the  trousers; 
and  the  disappointed  ones  were  busy  the  rest  of  the  day 
sewing  up  the  rents  they  had  made." 

The  same  officer  continues  in  a  more  serious  mood: 
"While  we. were  at  Edgefield  Junction  Sergeant  Wm. 
Griggs  died.  He  was  a  fine  soldier,  a  noble  young  man, 
and  greatly  beloved  by  all  his  comrades.  A  messenger  was 
sent  to  headquarters  with  the  request  that  the  Chaplain 
come  and  conduct  the  funeral  services,  but  we  were  in 
formed  that  he  had  gone  to  Indianapolis  on  leave/  Then 
we  concluded  to  bury  our  dead  comrade  with  such  services 
as  we  could  improvise.  The  Captain  read  a  chapter  from 
the  Bible,  spoke  a  few  words,  and  others  made  remarks. 
An  appropriate  hymn  was  sung,  and  we  were  about  to 
lower  the  coffin  into  the  grave,  when  one  of  the  soldiers, 
looking  up,  saw  our  Colonel  riding  over  the  hill  behind  us. 
He  had  come  down  to  supply  the  place  of  the  Chaplain. 
He  dismounted,  uncovered,  walked  to  the  edge  of  the 
grave,  extended  his  hands  over  the  coffin,  and  offered  one 
of  the  most  feeling  and  eloquent  prayers  to  which  we  had 
ever  listened.  Then  the  remains  were  lowered  into  the 
grave,  the  earth  thrown  in,  the  salute  fired,  and  the  sad 
rite  was  finished.  It  was  a  touching  scene,  the  funeral  of 
that  soldier  on  the  hillside  in  Tennessee,  away  from  his 
young  wife,  his  parents,  and  his  many  dear  friends  at 
home." 

On  February  twelfth,  1863,  the  Seventieth  returned  to 


52  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

Gallatin,  leaving,  however,  small  detachments  from  E,  F, 
G,  H  and  K  to  continue  guarding  the  bridges,  under  com 
mand  of  Major  Vance,  until  his  resignation  was  received, 
and  afterwards  under  command  of  Captain  Carson.  In 
structions  were  given  to  these  efficient  officers  by  General 
Paine  to  have  the  property  holders  whose  land  adjoined 
the  railroad  cut  and  haul  to  the  track  sufficient  quan 
tities  of  wood  for  the  use  of  the  locomotives,  and  also  to 
arrest  all  citizens  who  had  failed  to  obey  the  order,  issued 
some  time  before,  requiring  them  to  take  the  oath  of  al 
legiance  and  receive  protection  papers. 

Permission  was  granted  to  capture  twenty  horses, 
bridles  and  saddles  from  the  disloyal  for  the  purpose  of 
mounting  scouts  to  scour  the  neighboring  region,  suppress 
guerrillas,  apprehend  furloughed  Confederate  soldiers  who 
were  visiting  their  homes,  and  to  thwart  the  schemes  of 
those  who  were  planning  destruction  to  the  railroad. 
Negroes  furnished  invaluable  assistance  by  coming  with 
information  at  night.  Many  a  Southern  officer,  had  he 
known  all,  would  have  attributed  his  removal  from  his  bed 
about  midnight  to  stripes  he  had  in  years  gone  by  laid  on 
the  backs  of  his  slaves. 

An  attempt  in  March  to  wreck  a  passenger  train  was 
frustrated  by  the  vigilance  of  Lieutenant  Carey.  Rails 
had  been  piled  on  the  track,  where  a  culvert  made  it  easy 
to  wedge  them  till  they  became  a  formidable  obstacle. 
Three  sisters  lived  nearby,  and  as  their  shoes  exactly  fitted 
the  tracks  leading  from  their  house  to  and  around  the 
rail  piles,  they  were  arrested,  taken  to  Gallatin  and  impris 
oned.  General  Paine  felt  sure  they  had  designed  murder; 
yet  as  all  the  evidence  was  circumstantial,  and  perhaps 


NEW   COMMANDERS   AND    NEW   SCENES  53 

because  the  guilty  parties  were  women,  they  were  admon 
ished  and  released. 

A  detachment  from  Companies  G  and  H,  under  com 
mand  of  Lieutenants  Hardenbrook  and  Record,  crossed 
the  Cumberland  River  in  search  of  horses.  After  march 
ing  a  mile  or  two  on  a  road  winding  through  the  woods 
they  encountered  and  arrested  Captain  Duncan,  who  had 
the  reputation  of  being  a  desperado.  Benjamin  Ransdell 
was  left  behind  to  guard  the  prisoner,  while  the  others  con 
tinued  their  journey.  After  the  detachment  had  passed 
on,  an  armed  Confederate  soldier,  who  had  been  concealed 
in  a  neighboring  farm  house,  escaped,  and  evidently  not 
having  observed  the  guard  with  his  captive,  ran  down  the 
road  toward  them.  This  diverted  Ransdell's  attention. 
While  he  was  getting  his  gun  ready  for  the  approaching 
enemy,  his  prisoner,  knocking  him  down  with  a  stone, 
threw  himself  upon  him.  There  was  a  furious  struggle,  in 
which  the  men,  mad  with  rage  and  fear,  fell  and  rose  three 
times.  The  last  time  of  rising  the  Confederate  drew  a 
dirk  from  his  boot,  while  the  Union  man,  gaining  semi- 
possession  of  his  rifle,  fired  and  wounded  his  enemy  in  the 
wrist.  The  crippled  man  rushed  to  his  horse  and  mounted, 
only  to  be  felled  to  the  ground  by  a  blow  from  Ransdell's 
musket.  The  prisoner  then  ran,  while  his  adversary  was 
hastily  loading  his  rifle.  There  was  deliberate  aim,  but  the 
weapon  had  been  bent  in  the  conflict  and  failed  to  carry 
the  bullet  to  the  mark.  The  man  from  the  house  did  not 
stay  to  see  the  conclusion  of  the  duel,  but  disappeared  in 
the  woods,  and  the  panting  Ransdell  was  left  alone  with 
his  crooked  gun. 

Meanwhile  the  scouting  party,  having  captured  several 
horses,  learned  that  seventy-five  armed  Confederates  were 


54  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

nearby,  and  started  on  a  hurried  return.  However,  Lieu 
tenant  Record,  feeling  that  one  more  prize  was  desirable, 
stopped  at  a  house  and  bridled  a  fine  pacing  mare.  A 
stout  lady  and  her  stouter  daughter  seized  the  bridle, 
braced  themselves  on  each  side  of  the  animal's  head,  and 
bade  defiance  to  the  officer.  The  Lieutenant,  disdaining  to 
struggle  with  women,  leaped  on  the  steed,  loosed  the 
throat  latch,  slipped  out  the  bit,  vigorously  used  his  spurs, 
and  paced  rapidly  away,  calling  out  to  the  astonished 
women,  who  held  the  bridle,  "This  is  a  Yankee  trick/' 

While  the  detachments  under  the  command  of  Major 
Vance  and  Captain  Carson  \vere  engaged  in  their  impor 
tant  duties  in  the  region  immediately  north  of  Nashville, 
the  main  body  of  the  regiment  was  encamped  at  Gallatin, 
employed  in  work  similar  to  that  in  which  it  had  been 
occupied  at  Bowling  Green.  Drilling  was  incessant,  and 
no  one  could  escape  unless  he  was  out  on  picket  or  his 
company  was  off  on  an  expedition.  Perfection  in  outpost 
duty  was  not  attained  by  some  of  the  soldiers  without 
great  difficulty.  John  Maloney,  an  Irishman  of  Company 
K,  when  detailed  for  this  kind  of  service  never  could  recol 
lect  the  countersign  if  it  were  a  word  he  had  not  before 
heard.  One  evening  the  officer  of  the  day  gave  the  coun 
tersign,  Solferino,  to  Sergeant  Secrest,  who  in  turn  was 
to  communicate  it  to  the  men  on  the  portion  of  the  line 
of  which  he  had  charge.  When  he  came  to  Maloney  he 
said:  "Now,  Johnnie,  I  don't  want  to  have  any  trouble 
with  you  stopping  the  grand  rounds  to-night,  so  you  must 
get  the  countersign  right  end  foremost  in  your  head,  and 
don't  you  forget  it."  Then  in  a  low  voice,  "It's  Solferino, 
Solferino,  Solferino.  Have  you  got  it  now,  Johnnie?"  "No, 
Sairgint;  say  it  agin."  So  it  was  repeated  over  and  over. 


NEW   COMMANDERS    AND    NEW   SCENES  55 

" Yis,  Sairgint ;  I've  got  it  now,  and  it's  the  bist  countersign 
we  iver  had."  "Tell  it  to  me  so  I  can  be  sure  you  know 
it,"  demanded  Secrest.  "Sock  it  to  'em,"  growled 
Maloney. 

The  first  of  March  the  regiment  went  from  Gallatin  to 
Goose  Creek,  beyond  Hartsville,  into  a  region  where 
trouble  seemed  always  breeding.  The  people  were  dis 
posed  to  give  encouragement  to  the  enemy,  who  crossed 
the  river  for  supplies  or  for  information,  and  an  occasional 
visit  of  Union  troops  became  a  necessity.  By  way  of  pay 
ment  for  the  long  march,  ninety-eight  barrels  of  flour, 
designed  for  the  men  in  gray,  were  removed  to  Gallatin. 

J.  C.  Bennett's  diary  gives  the  information  that  "six 
companies  of  infantry,  one  of  cavalry  and  sixty  scouts, 
under  command  of  Colonel  Harrison,  started  at  eight 
A.  M.,  March  eighteenth,  bound  for  Carthage.  We  had 
in  our  charge  sixty  head  of  cattle  and  seventy  wagons. 
Passing  through  Hartsville  we  bivouacked  at  Dickson's 
Springs  after  forming  the  wagons  into  a  circle  of  defense. 
The  next  day  the  cavalry  drove  the  cattle  on  to  Carthage, 
but  the  rest  of  us,  dividing  into  parties,  took  different 
directions,  and  while  most  of  the  wagons  were  loaded  with 
corn,  hay  and  oats,  some  were  taken  to  the  mill  and  loaded 
with  barrels  of  flour.  We  spent  the  night  at  Hartsville, 
and  started  the  following  morning  for  camp  through  the 
rain  and  mud." 

Henry  Farley  of  Company  B  says:  "I  took  part  in  a 
scouting  expedition  under  command  of  Lieutenant 
Record.  Just  at  daybreak  we  captured  two  men  at  a  dance 
and  three  in  a  blackberry  patch.  I  was  left  with  some 
others  to  guard  these  prisoners,  but  hearing  some  firing 
and  thinking  there  were  plenty  to  take  care  of  the  pris- 


56  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

oners,  I  mounted  my  horse  and  hurried  in  the  direction 
of  the  shooting.     Presently  I  saw  a  Johnny  coming  out 
of  a  lane  with  Templeton  Smith,  of  our  company,  after 
him.     At  sight  of  me  the  Johnny  changed  his  course  of 
flight,  but  his  horse  slipped  and  fell  and  Smith  took  him 
captive.     It  was  a  game  of  bluff  on  Smith's  part,  for  he 
chased  him  with  an  empty  gun.     The  Johnny  had  done 
pretty  well  though,  for  he  had  put  one  bullet  in  Lieutenant 
Record's  hand  and  one  in  his  thigh.     The  Lieutenant's 
blood  was  up  now,  and  he  said,  'Boys,  I'm  told  there  were 
fifteen  men  at  that  dance,  and  we  must  have  some  more 
of  them.'     So  we  started  again,  but  I  got  separated  from 
the  rest  and  came  out  on  the  Nashville  pike.     I  struck  a 
blacksmith's  shop  and  saw  a  man  dressed  in  gray  lying 
inside,  a  couple  of  pistols  in  his  belt.     I  crept  to  the  back 
door  of  the  shop,  presented  arms  with  the  words,  'Hold 
up  your  hands  or  die.'    While  I  was  unbuckling  his  pistols 
the  blacksmith  said,  'No  one  man  could  capture  him  while 
he  had  two  guns.'     This  gentleman  had  the  pleasure  of  look 
ing  into  the  muzzle  of  one  of  the  captured  guns,  and  when 
ordered  to  march  out  on  the  pike  with  his  comrade  made  no 
resistance.     On  recrossing  the  Cumberland  we  took  with  us 
thirteen   prisoners   and   left   two   to   be   buried   by   their 
friends." 

Sunday  morning,  April  twenty-sixth,  the  men  leaped 
into  wagons  and  lumbered  away  at  a  fast  mule  trot  toward 
this  same  troublesome  district.  The  following  extract 
from  an  officer's  letter  throws  some  light  on  the  expedi 
tion:  "About  daybreak  General  Paine  told  me  to  detach 
four  wagons  and  follow  him  on  a  side  road,  while  the  rest 
of  the  train,  twenty-six  wagons,  went  on  to  Hartsville. 
We  pulled  up  at  a  grass  widow's  house,  husband  in  the 


NEW    COMMANDERS   AND    NEW    SCENES  57 

Confederate  army,  took  breakfast  and  loaded  our  teams  with 
corn,  leaving  her  just  enough  to  keep  the  wolf  from  her 
door.  I  was  then  sent  back  to  station  guards  around  Mr. 
Smith's  house,  and  to  allow  no  one  to  escape  until  the  Gen 
eral's  return.  There  we  remained  cooping  up  a  household 
of  chattering  females  until  two  o'clock,  while  the  General 
went  on  and  told  the  citizens  of  Hartsville  that  on  his 
next  visit  their  town  would  be  burned  and  every  soul 
driven  south  if  they  suffered  any  more  rebels  to  cross  the 
river. 

"The  windows  and  doors  of  every  other  house  through 
out  the  entire  region  are  nailed  fast,  and  the  women  have 
united  their  families  in  the  occupied  dwellings,  so  that  the 
sentimental  soldier  has  scarcely  ceased  moralizing  over  a 
deserted  home  before  he  beholds  a  house  with  nine  gaunt 
women  in  the  doorway  and  countless  hordes  of  youngsters 
at  the  broken  windows.  An  old  man  (a  few  octogenarians 
are  left)  asked  me  where  General  Paine  was  from,  when  his 
pretty  niece  flashed  out,  'From  the  devil,  uncle;  what 
makes  you  ask  such  a  question?'  Whether  General  Paine 
was  from  the  devil  or  not,  he  certainly  was  a  merciful  man, 
according  to  the  Scripture  definition,  for  he  always  came 
back  with  plenty  of  forage  for  the  animals." 

J.  C.  Bennett:  "On  the  eighth  of  May  five  companies 
of  the  regiment  hurried  to  the  Cumberland  River  to  cap 
ture  or  drive  away  guerrillas  who  had  fired  upon  a  loaded 
steamboat  on  its  way  to  Carthage.  A  snag  had  sunk  the 
vessel,  and  Companies  I  and  K  were  detached  to  afford 
protection  while  unloading  was  in  progress,  and  the  other 
three  were  thrown  out  as  skirmishers  to  advance  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river  and  capture  bushwackers.  Only 
four  prisoners  were  caught  in  the  net.  From  the  fifteenth 


58  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

to  the  twenty-second  of  May  Company  B  had  charge  of 
Bulls'  Branch  ferry.  The  people  paid  us  for  crossing  the 
river,  and  we  made  thirty  dollars  in  two  days,  which  was 
put  into  our  fund  to  purchase  things  for  the  use  of  the 
company.  Several  families  of  refugees  crossed  at  our  ferry 
from  whom  we  took  nothing,  for  we  thought  they  would 
need  all  the  money  they  had.  They  said  they  were  trying 
to  get  into  the  United  States,  and  when  we  told  them 
they  were  safe  their  faces  lighted  up  as  if  a  heavy  load  had 
been  rolled  from  their  shoulders." 

On  the  twenty-third  of  May  four  companies  of  the 
Seventieth  Indiana,  two  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Second 
Illinois,  and  a  section  of  artillery,  Colonel  Harrison  com 
manding,  crossed  the  Cumberland  on  a  foraging  expedi 
tion,  and  returned  on  the  evening  of  the  twenty-sixth. 

An  officer  tells  the  following  story:  "One  day  I  was 
sitting  in  front  of  my  tent,  when  a  man  not  overly  clean, 
but  not  quite  so  dirty  as  John  D.  Hopkins,  came  up  from 
his  company  quarters  and  said  'that  he  could  do  something 
I  could  neither  do  nor  try  to  do.'  Just  then  the  Adjutant 
approached,  and  I  said,  'Here  is  a  man  who*  says  he  can  do 
a  thing  you  can  neither  do  nor  try  to  do.'  'Well/  spoke 
up  the  Adjutant  in  that  wonderful  rich  voice  of  his,  'I  would 
like  to  see  a  man  do  what  I  can't  try  to  do.'  The  man 
asked  him  to  take  a  seat  on  a  chair  and  then  popped 
quickly  into  his  lap.  Of  all  the  foolish  looking  men  in 
the  world  the  Adjutant  took  the  palm,  as  the  onlookers 
cried  out,  Try  to  sit  in  your  own  lap,  Adj.'  He  couldn't 
do  it.  He  didn't  even  try." 

The  Adjutant  is  responsible  for  the  following:  "There 
were  a  lot  of  us  sitting  around  Colonel  Harrison  one  night 
listening  to  him,  for  he  is  a  beautiful  talker.  He  was  tell- 


NEW   COMMANDERS   AND    NEW   SCENES  59 

ing  of  a  magnificent  lady  singer,  and  as  he  recalled  her 
thrilling  voice,  he  was  swept  away  and  burst  out  with  an 
imitation.  The  contrast  between  his  wonderful  descrip 
tion  and  the  music  as  he  gave  it  was  so  amazing  that  in 
a  moment  every  seat  was  vacant." 

Our  regiment  bade  a  final  farewell  to  Gallatin  on  the 
first  day  of  June,  boarding  a  train  that  took  it  through 
Nashville  to  Lavergne,  fifteen  miles  southeast  on  the 
Chattanooga  railroad.  It  occupied  quarters  just  vacated 
by  the  Tenth  Kentucky.  Company  C,  with  a  company 
from  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois,  was  stationed 
on  Signal  hill,  two  miles  away,  \vhere  Captain  Ragan,  who 
was  in  command  and  who  \vas  punctilious  in  all  military 
observances,  held  dress  parade  at  the  close  of  each  day. 

While  we  were  in  Lavergne  the  paymaster  made  his 
appearance.  His  funds  were  gratefully  received,  and  a 
portion  as  usual  devoted  to  immediate  consumption.  The 
rustic  soldier's  favorite  article  of  food  was  pie.  At  home 
he  was  glad  to  have  pie  for  breakfast  and  supper,  as  well 
as  for  dinner.  On  pay  day  he  was  sure  to  regale  himself 
with  pie,  though  sometimes  disappointed  in  the  quantity 
and  quality.  J.  M.  Brown  writes  to  his  sister  on  pay  day: 
"I  have  just  bought  a  pie.  I  tell  you  they  are  great  pies 
sure.  There  is  about  as  much  apples  in  one  as  I  could  eat 
at  one  mouthful." 

Wm.  Wilhite  of  Company  D  says:  "On  June  twenty- 
ninth,  just  after  midnight,  we  were  aroused  to  go  on  a 
tramp  up  the  N.  &  C.  R.  R.,  and  marched  the  remainder 
of  the  night  through  a  drenching  rain.  Some  of  the  boys 
lost  their  shoes  in  the  mudholes.  We  arrived  about  day 
light  at  a  place  called  Antioch,  w7here  we  remained  till 
noon,  and  then  returned  to  camp,  worn  out." 


60  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

On  June  thirtieth  the  regiment  marched  under  the 
broiling  sun  and  encamped  on  the  Murfreesboro  battle 
field  in  a  pouring  rain.  Here  in  a  few  days  came  news  of 
the  Gettysburg  victory  and  the  capture  of  Vicksburg. 
Nothing,  not  even  a  pie,  is  so  dear  to  the  heart  of  the 
American  soldier  as  a  speech,  and  on  this  day  of  rejoicing 
Colonel  Harrison  and  officers  of  other  regiments  in  the 
brigade  complied  with  solicitations  and  made  speeches  that 
refreshed  and  exhilarated  the  souls  of  their  audience. 

The  weather  was  exceedingly  hot,  the  food  very  objec 
tionable,  and  many  of  the  men  succumbed  to  sickness.  J. 
E.  Cleland  writes:  "Our  side  meat  is  very  active  and  able 
to  travel,  so  we  drive  it  down  to  quarters  on  foot  from 
the  commissary's.  Dr.  Reagan  has  just  issued  forty  rounds 
of  quinine  pills  to  each  man  and  three  days'  rations  of 
Dover's  powders  for  each  haversack." 

August  sixth,  Jerry  Barker  of  Company  E,  Colonel  Har 
rison's  orderly,  who  had  been  captured  a  month  before, 
returned,  having  escaped  by  bribing  his  guard.  He  re 
ported  that  he  killed  one  of  the  men  who  captured  him; 
that  his  captors  took  everything  he  had,  even  the  ring  from 
his  finger;  that  his  saddle  was  sold  for  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  and  his  horse  for  eight  hundred  dollars;  and 
that  he  was  incarcerated  with  a  hundred  others  in  a  single 
room,  from  which  no  one  was  allowed  to  go  for  any  pur 
pose,  and  where  the  odors  were  indescribable.  A  Lieu 
tenant  made  the  man  who  took  his  lady  love's  ring  return 
it,  and  this  was  sacrificed  by  Barker  to  bribe  the  sentinel 
to  let  him  escape. 

August  nineteenth,  the  regiment  having  been  assigned 
to  the  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division  of  the  Reserve 
Corps,  marched  back  to  Nashville,  arriving  on  the  follow- 


NEW    COMMANDERS   AND    NEW   SCENES  6l 

ing  day.  Here,  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  duties  of  drill 
and  picket,  was  added  the  unpleasant  and  dangerous  work 
of  guarding  trains  to  Stevenson  and  Chattanooga.  J.  E. 
Cleland:  "We  take  frequent  excursions  at  reduced  rates 
over  the  Chattanooga  railroad,  occupying  the  upper  berth 
on  the  outside  to  keep  the  brakemen  from  getting 
lonely." 

Gettysburg  and  Vicksburg  had  given  hope  that  the  war 
would  soon  come  to  an  end.  But  it  went  on  and  on,  and 
hope  died  away.  An  officer  writes  to  his  wife,  September 
sixth:  "I  want  to  see  the  babies  more  than  I  can  tell.  One 
of  the  hardest  things  a  soldier  has  to  bear  is  the  thought 
that  his  children  are  growing  up  without  knowing  any 
thing  of  him." 

The  negroes  who  attached  themselves  to  the  regiment 
were  very  anxious  to  learn,  but  when  McGuffey's  Spellers 
were  given  them  could  not  believe  they  could  "larn  to 
read  in  them  thar  kind  of  books."  Their  happiness  and 
diligence  were  indescribable  when  a  new  supply  was  or 
dered,  and  they  received  the  blue  back  Webster's  Ele 
mentary  Speller  they  had  seen  their  young  masters 
formerly  use.  One  old  fellow,  after  vainly  wrestling  with 
the  alphabet  for  months,  sold  his  book  to  a  younger  man 
for  five  dollars.  As  the  speller  had  cost  him  nothing,  his 
disappointment  was  attended  with  at  least  one  consoling 
feature,  that  though  not  a  man  of  learning,  he  certainly 
was  a  man  of  business. 

Ben,  the  doctor's  servant,  when  paid  his  month's  wages, 
said  he  was  going  to  have  his  "picter  pulled,"  and  asked 
"if  it  hurt  as  bad  to  have  a  picter  pulled  as  to  have  a 
tooth  pulled."  He  had  probably  heard  of  pictures  and 
teeth  being  drawn.  The  doctor,  who  was  in  favor  of  en- 


62  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

couraging  art,  thought  "not  quite."  Some  of  the  colored 
cooks  were  powerful  preachers,  and  certainly  seemed  to 
storm  Heaven  with  their  prayers.  One  always  concluded 
his  petitions  with,  "Hand  us  down  to  our  watery  graves  in 
peace." 

J.  C.  Bennett:  "While  we  were  at  Nashville  among  the 
recruits  who  came  to  us  was  Edward  Dill.  When  he  drew 
his  first  rations  he  received  of  course  a  piece  of  bacon,  and 
came  to  his  quarters  in  disgust,  declaring  that  he  could 
not  eat  such  fat  stuff.  Bob  Angleton  inquired  in  an  in 
nocent  way,  'Why  didn't  you  tell  the  orderly  to  give  you 
ham  instead  of  that?'  Then  added  in  a  confidential  man 
ner,  'I'll  tell  you  what  to  do.  Take  it  to  Colonel  Harrison 
and  he  will  give  you  ham  pound  for  pound.'  Off  went  Dill 
and  walked  into  the  tent  without  either  knocking  or  salut 
ing.  The  Colonel  looked  at  him  in  astonishment  and  said, 
'What  do  you  want?'  Holding  up  the  greasy  chunk  he 
told  his  errand.  'Who  sent  you  to  me  ?'  asked  the  Colonel. 
'Bob  Angleton,'  was  the  reply.  The  officer  of  the  guard 
was  called.  Ed  and  Bob  had  a  guard  house  experience, 
and  the  latter  in  addition  was  given  ample  time  to  enjoy 
his  joke  while  doing  'extra  duty.'  Angleton,  however, 
had  better  luck  with  his  next  jest.  Another  recruit,  John 
Peak,  taking  his  first  meal,  bean  soup  was  the  dinner  that 
day,  seeing  the  radicles  floating  on  the  savory  dish,  asked 
Bob,  'What  are  these?'  Angleton  replied,  'Oh,  nothing 
but  skippers  the  quartermaster  saves  from  old  bacon  to 
season  our  broth.  They  give  it  a  splendid  taste.'  This 
first  view  of  soldier  fare  was  too  much  for  John,  and  he 
left  the  dinner  to  be  devoured  by  his  messmates." 

On  November  thirteenth  an  incident  occurred  which  in 
terested  and  amused  every  person  in  the  regiment.  Lieu- 


NEW    COMMANDERS   AND    NEW   SCENES  63 

tenant-Colonel  Burgess  was  a  man  with  very  charming 
manners.  It  was  not  in  his  composition  to  say  no.  Sel 
dom  left  in  charge  of  the  regiment,  as  Colonel  Harrison 
had  not  yet  taken  permanent  command  of  the  brigade, 
responsibility  for  discipline  did  not  weigh  heavily  upon 
him.  He  never  had  to  punish  anybody,  as  the  unenviable 
duties  of  provost  marshal  had  been  assigned  to  the  Major. 
When  a  man  applied  for  a  pass  the  Lieutenant-Colonel's 
first  thought  was,  "Poor  devil,  let  him  have  a  little  fun,  for 
he  will  see  grief  enough  before  he  gets  out  of  this  scuffle." 
It  was  quite  possible  for  one  who  was  far  better  off  in 
camp  than  out  to  take  advantage  of  such  lenity,  secure  a 
pass  to  the  city,  obtain  a  drop  too  much,  enjoy  a  fight  or 
two  with  the  provost  guards,  return  to  camp  under  arrest, 
enter  the  guard  house,  and  while  in  durance  vile  have  his 
picket  duties  performed  by  his  better  behaved  comrades. 
Of  course  the  indulgent  Colonel  was  the  most  popular  man 
in  the  regiment. 

The  following  paragraph  is  taken  from  the  diary  of  U. 
H.  Farr:  "Colonel  Jim  Burgess  was  always  easy  on  the 
men,  while  Colonel  Ben.  Harrison  was  quite  strict.  Some 
private  conceived  the  idea  of  complimenting  Burgess  and 
at  the  same  time  scoring  one  against  Harrison  by  making 
a  present  to  the  former  of  a  handsome  sword.  So  a  sub 
scription  was  started  among  the  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates.  Everybody  understood  the  twofold  purpose 
of  the  present.  A  sword  was  purchased  for  one  hundred 
and  seventy-five  dollars,  a  big  box  was  placed  between  the 
field  and  line  officers'  tents,  and  everybody  gathered  in 
a  mass  meeting.  Sergeant  John  E.  Cleland,  a  fine  scholar 
and  good  speaker,  mounted  the  box  and  made  the  pre 
sentation  speech.  Burgess  could  not  make  a  speech  and 


64  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

was  embarrassed.  The  regiment  was  hungry  for  a  speech 
and  would  not  be  disappointed;  so  the  cry  went  up,  'Har 
rison,  Harrison.'  ' 

Colonel  Harrison,  who  was  reading  in  his  tent,  feeling 
perhaps  that  his  presence  might  throw  a  coldness  over  the 
audience,  immediately  appeared,  stepped  upon  the  box, 
commended  every  excellence  it  was  possible  to  discover 
in  the  character  of  Colonel  Burgess,  and  concluded  with  a 
thrilling  appeal,  which  was  received  with  deafening  cheers, 
to  every  man  to  offer  himself  anew  with  undying  devotion 
to  the  service  of  his  country.  Shortly  after  this  incident 
Colonel  Burgess  returned  to  Indianapolis  and  took  com 
mand  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Indiana. 

A.  J.  Johnson,  Company  I,  writes:  "General  Grant 
reached  Nashville  in  November  on  his  way  to  the  front, 
having  taken  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 
An  escort  of  thirty  men  was  detailed  from  our  regiment, 
of  which  I  was  one.  We  noticed  that  the  General,  although 
quite  lame,  walked  to  the  station,  while  his  staff  rode  in 
carriages.  After  arriving  in  Chattanooga  the  General  told 
his  orderly  to  take  a  box  of  his  cigars  and  pass  them 
around.  Several  of  the  boys  smoked  for  the  first  and  last 
time,  simply  because  they  were  General  Grant's  cigars." 

About  this  time  the  Government  undertook  the  organi 
zation  of  negroes  into  regiments  officered  by  white  men, 
and  quite  a  number  of  the  members  of  the  Seventieth,  pre 
senting  themselves  to  the  Board  of  Examination,  were 
deemed  worthy  of  holding  highly  important  positions, 
There  was  a  division  of  opinion,  however,  among  the  sol 
diers.  Some  were  so  loyal  to  the  regiment  as  to  exclaim, 
"We  would  rather  be  corporals  in  the  Seventieth  than 
commissioned  officers  elsewhere.  To  us  there  is  more 


NEW   COMMANDERS   AND    NEW   SCENES  65 

pleasure,  usefulness  and  honor  where  we  are,  among  friends 
and  with  a  company  raised  at  and  standing  for  home,  than 
in  any  position  to  be  reached  by  leaving  the  boys  with 
whom  we  enlisted."  It  is  a  great  satisfaction  to  know  that 
a  Lieutenant  who  had  received  his  entire  military  education 
in  the  Seventieth  had  the  honor,  as  commander  of  a 
brigade,  of  ordering  around  Colonel  Shafter,  afterwards 
Major-General  Shafter,  the  hero  of  Santiago  de  Cuba. 
What  a  pleasure  would  this  privilege  not  have  been  to  a 
certain  newspaper  reporter! 

The  following  letter  from  Lieutenant  Grubbs  will  give 
an  idea  of  how  pleasantly  Christmas  eve  was  spent  at 
Nashville:  "Dress  parade  was  over  and  all  retired  to  their 
quarters.  Here,  there,  and  all  over  the  regiment  you  could 
see  the  boys  gathering  in  knots  and  busily  engaged  in  dis 
cussing  some  apparently  important  project.  The  crowd 
gradually  increased,  and  the  talk  grew  more  animated, 
until  company  streets  became  full.  It  was  easy  to  see  that 
something  was  meditated,  and  yet  that  the  boys  were 
hesitating  somewhat.  The  officers  noticed  that  something 
unusual  was  up,  but  could  not  imagine  what  it  was.  I  had 
gone  to  supper  at  Captain  Fisher's,  and  we  were  quietly 
eating,  when  we  heard  a  wonderful  yelling  up  on  the  right. 
'Company  E  is  at  something,'  says  Captain  Fisher,  and  a 
look  convinced  us  of  the  truth  of  the  remark.  Coming 
down  the  street  was  a  noisy  crowd  of  perhaps  thirty  men, 
and  elevated  over  their  heads  was  Captain  Meredith.  They 
rushed  him  to  the  sutler  and  demanded  a  treat.  Of  course 
he  complied,  and  soon  every  man  was  puffing  away  at  a 
cigar.  Another  crowd  now  came  rushing  down  amid 
shouts  and  laughter,  and  this  time  it  was  Company  G,  and 
on  their  shoulders  they  bore  Captain  Carson,  one  of  the 


66  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

steadiest  old  men  in  the  regiment.  The  Captain  seemed  a 
little  perplexed,  but  took  it  all  good  humoredly.  Officers 
stood  around  laughing  uproariously  at  the  unlucky  wights 
whom  the  boys  had  seized,  and  not  until  ominous  crowds 
had  gathered  around  them  and  rough  hands  were  laid 
upon  them  did  they  realize  that  their  time  had  come.  I 
had  just  stepped  out  of  the  tent,  and  was  watching  Com 
pany  C  hurrying  their  Captain,  a  spruce  old  widower,  up  to 
the  sutler's,  and  was  laughing  at  his  vigorous  struggles  to 
get  away,  when  I  heard  a  shout,  There  he  is,  there  he  is/ 
and  turning  around  I  saw  Company  F  coming  toward  me 
on  the  run.  I  started  to  run,  too,  but  was  caught,  mounted 
upon  a  dozen  shoulders,  and  taken  double  quick  to  the 
sutler's.  I  called  for  a  box  of  cigars,  handed  them  to  the 
boys,  and  was  free.  Then  I  could  laugh  at  the  others. 
Not  an  officer  escaped.  Even  Captain  Fisher  was  taken 
from  the  table  and  subjected  to  the  same  ordeal.  Colonel 
Harrison  and  Major  Merrill  were  each  with  their  wives 
out  of  camp.  But  the  boys  were  not  to  be  disappointed. 
They  found  a  Government  wagon,  fifty  strong  arms  seized 
hold  of  it,  and  away  they  went  after  them.  They  drew 
the  wagon  up  in  front  of  the  house  where  the  Colonel  and 
Major  were  boarding;  half  a  dozen  waited  on  and  informed 
them  of  their  business.  Only  giving  them  time  to  get 
their  hats,  they  bore  them  to  the  wagon  and  started  with 
headlong  speed  for  the  camp.  There  the  regiment  joined 
the  wagon  pullers,  and  a  long,  loud  shout  went  up  from 
five  hundred  voices.  After  the  treat  a  speech  was  called 
for,  and  the  Colonel  made  us  one  of  his  happiest  little 
speeches.  Then  with  three  times  three  cheers  the  crowd 
dispersed  and  that  part  of  the  performance  was  over.  As 
the  beautiful  moonlight  evening  came  on,  crowds  began 


NEW    COMMANDERS   AND    NEW    SCENES  67 

to  gather  in  the  broad  street,  violins  were  brought  forth, 
sets  were  formed,  and  the  awkward  but  entertaining  dance 
of  the  soldier  began.  Music  and  dancing  was  the  order 
until  taps,  when  everything  grew  quiet  and  the  sports  of 
Christmas  eve  were  over." 

As  the  last  night  of  the  year  approached,  a  cold  wave 
from  the  North  drove  the  mercury  many  degrees  below 
zero,  and  produced  indescribable  suffering.  The  exposure 
on  the  picket  posts  was  very  great,  but  the  distress  of  the 
sentinel  who  could  be  relieved  and  could  approach  the 
log  heap  fire  once  in  two  hours  was  mild  compared  with 
the  agony  of  the  train  guard,  who  rode  on  top  of  the  box 
cars  to  and  from  Stevenson,  Alabama.  Some  were  frozen 
to  death,  and  many  contracted  diseases  that  terminated 
fatally,  or  crippled  the  unfortunates  for  life. 

Captain  Meredith:  "Company  E  was  detailed  for  picket 
duty  that  morning,  with  outpost  on  Granny  White  pike, 
about  one  mile  from  company  quarters.  Realizing  that  it 
was  very  cold,  the  Captain  double-quicked  his  men  nearly 
all  the  way  to  the  outpost.  Arriving  there  he  found  that 
both  his  ears  were  frozen  stiff.  Others  of  his  company 
were  slightly  touched,  but  he  most  severely.  There  was 
snow  on  the  ground,  and  Private  Wm.  R.  Hushaw  col 
lected  some,  rubbed  his  Captain's  ears,  thawing  them  out. 
The  men  were  relieved  every  half  hour,  were  double- 
quicked  on  their  beats,  and  were  allowed  to  build  fires 
wherever  they  could.  We  were  not  apprehensive  of  any 
other  enemy  than  Jack  Frost  that  day.  At  noon  came 
Colonel  Harrison  on  his  rounds.  Seeing  the  Captain  with 
his  head  bandaged,  he  inquired  as  to  the  reason,  and  when 
told  became  humorous.  The  idea,'  he  said,  'of  a  Northern 
man  coming  to  the  sunny  South  to  get  frostbitten  was 


68  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ridiculous.'  'Colonel/  the  Captain  said,  'there  is  a  peculiar 
blue  tinge  about  your  nose/  The  Colonel  removed  his 
glove  and  gently  fondled  his  nose.  Then  he  dismounted. 
'By  George,  Captain,'  he  said,  'my  nose  is  frozen.'  Billy 
Hushaw  made  the  snow  application  and  the  Colonel  re 
sumed  his  rounds  in  a  thoughtful  mood." 

Captain  Meredith  continues:  "The  location  of  the 
quarters  of  Company  E  and  the  tents  of  its  officers,  so 
convenient  to  those  of  the  field  and  staff,  soon  became  a 
source  of  much  unhappiness,  uneasiness  and  disquiet,  both 
among  men  and  officers.  The  company  became  the  scape 
goat  of  the  regiment,  and  it  was  blamed  for  many  an 
escapade  of  which  its  members  were  not  guilty;  in  which 
they  had  no  share.  The  Captain  of  Company  E  became 
what  Lieutenant  Record  of  Company  H  termed  'the  regi 
mental  hell  catcher,'  and  the  Captain  thought  the  title  well 
placed.  If  there  was  a  disturbance  in  any  part  of  the  camp, 
the  Colonel,  or  the  officer  in  command,  would  come  charg 
ing  down  or  send  the  Adjutant  to  see  what  the  devil  was 
the  matter  in  Company  E.  The  company  next  on  the 
right,  Company  D,  was  a  noisy  company,  and  the  one  on 
the  left,  Company  F,  was  not  an  example  of  quietness,  but 
E  company  had  to  catch  it  just  the  same;  had  to  come  in 
for  a  good  share  of  the  blame  for  the  noise  and  confusion, 
the  fuss  and  the  fun  in  the  other  companies." 

A  youngster  in  a  company  adjoining,  writing  to  his 
parents,  mentions  E  as  "a  rowdy  company,  made  up  at 
Indianapolis,  always  taking  the  lead  in  everything  ques 
tionable."  If  he  meant  that  they  were  a  jolly  set  of  fellows, 
boiling  over  with  fun  and  cutting  pranks  that  sometimes 
bothered  the  officers  amazingly,  no  one  could  find  fault 
with  the  language.  When  a  hat  almost  as  tall  as  the  stove- 


NEW   COMMANDERS   AND    NEW    SCENES  69 

pipe  was  issued  to  each  member  of  the  regiment,  and  the 
officers  were  anticipating  a  magnificent  display  on  dress 
parade,  the  privates  of  this  company  appeared  in  the  cen 
ter  of  the  line  with  their  hats  cut  down  so  that  they  looked 
more  like  the  mortar  boards  worn  by  university  students 
than  the  imposing  headgear  intended.  The  effect  was  ex 
cessively  ludicrous,  and  the  officers,  who  ought  to  have 
swollen  with  rage,  were  convulsed  with  laughter.  If  some 
things  were  "questionable,"  it  must  be  admitted  that  a 
gayer  lot  of  lads,  with  merriment  more  contagious,  never 
carried  the  colors.  An  incident  comes  to  mind,  when 
trudging  was  the  word  to  describe  the  forward  movement 
on  The  March  to  the  Sea,  some  whistlers  of  this  company, 
gifted  with  flutelike  tones,  struck  up  "Johnny  fill  up  the 
bowl."  Instantly  the  strange  music  swelled  up  and  down 
the  column,  and  the  whole  battalion  was  keeping  time  to 
the  cheerful  melody  with  that  beautiful  swaying  movement 
seldom  seen  except  when  troops  are  passing  in  review. 
Those  who  brighten  life  and  lighten  its  burdens  are  not 
"rowdies,"  they  are  benefactors. 

On  January  second,  1864,  the  Seventieth  Indiana  was 
transferred  to  the  First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Eleventh 
Army  Corps,  commanded  by  General  Howard.  General 
Ward  was  placed  in  command  of  the  division  and  Colonel 
Harrison  of  the  brigade.  The  shelter  or  dog  tent,  as  it  was 
nicknamed,  was  issued  on  the  thirtieth  of  this  month.  A 
piece  of  light  canvas  about  six  feet  square,  with  a  row  of 
buttons  or  buttonholes  on  three  sides,,  was  given  to  each 
man.  The  soldiers  usually  united  two  or  four  of  these 
pieces,  then  stretching  them  over  a  horizontal  pole,  raised 
on  forks  about  three  feet  high,  fastened  the  short  ropes 
attached  to  the  corners  to  stakes  in  the  ground.  The 


70  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

patriots  entered  this  dwelling  on  all  fours.  The  single 
piece  of  muslin  and  a  small  oilcloth  was  carried  by  each 
man,  and  by  them  he  was  protected  at  night  from  the 
dampness  of  the  ground  and  the  pelting  of  the  tempest. 

A  strong  effort  was  made  by  the  authorities  at  Nash 
ville  to  keep  the  brigade  from  moving  southward,  but  the 
desire  on  the  part  of  most  of  the  men,  who  had  been  so 
long  in  what  was  called  the  rear  to  be  on  the  front  line, 
had  grown  more  intense  as  the  months  passed.  The 
officers  were  even  more  anxious  to  get  away  from  the  city, 
with  its  temptations,  than  the  soldiers  they  had  to  restrain. 
One  in  rather  a  sweeping  way  writes,  January  twenty-first, 
1864:  "I  have  a  hard  company  to  manage.  The  men  will 
get  drunk  whenever  they  can  get  whisky,  and  soldiers  can 
adopt  many  expedients  to  get  that  article.  It  is  the  curse 
of  the  army,  from  general  down  to  private.  If  I  had  never 
been  for  temperance  in  principle  and  practice  before,  my 
experience  and  observation  in  the  army  would  make  me 
uncompromising  and  unyielding  upon  that  subject." 
There  were  men  and  women  in  the  city,  who  in  their  dens 
of  pollution  preached  from  the  text,  "Let  us  eat  and  drink 
for  to-morrow  we  die,"  and  as  there  were  hundreds  in  the 
regiment  who  were  not  yet  of  age,  what  wonder  that  some, 
out  from  the  restraints  of  home,  listened  to  the  damnable 
doctrine. 

Yet  the  Seventieth  Indiana  as  a  whole,  was  the  better 
for  its  varied  experience.  This  experience  had  been  of  a 
nature  that  but  few,  if  any  other  regiments  had  enjoyed. 
Many  troops  entering  the  service  about  the  same  time 
were  hurried  into  battle  without  preparation,  and  were  sac 
rificed  in  the  vain  struggle  to  stop  the  advance  of  General 
Bragg's  veterans.  Our  regiment  while  cut  off  from  home 


NEW   COMMANDERS    AND    NEW   SCENES  71 

and  from  the  rest  of  the  army,  and  for  a  long  period  out 
numbered  by  large  bodies  of  the  enemy  on  every  side,  was 
taught  there  was  nothing  to  depend  upon  but  constant 
watchfulness,  and  confirmed  in  the  determination  never  to  be 
captured,  a  fate  known  to  be  worse  than  death.  Night  after 
night  it  was  called  out  and  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  day 
after  day  the  monotony  of  drill  was  relieved  by  expeditions 
against  and  skirmishes  with  marauders.  Discipline  was 
severe,  for  the  commander,  Colonel  Benjamin  Harrison, 
knew  that  without  discipline  a  thousand  men  are  no  better 
than  a  mob.  He  proposed  to  form  a  battalion  that  in  the 
day  of  battle  would  move  as  if  animated  by  one  soul.  He 
had  the  intellect  and  the  will,  and  he  accomplished  the 
work.  If  vigilance  and  labor  could  keep  the  men  supplied 
with  food  and  clothing,  nothing  was  wanting.  Such  was 
the  care  for  the  health  that  no  other  Indiana  regiment  in 
the  service  for  three  years,  lost  as  few  by  sickness,  except 
the  Thirty-second,  which  was  composed  for  the  most  part 
of  veterans  who  had  seen  service  in  Germany  and  were 
inured  to  hardships  of  war.  The  regiment  was  fortunate 
in  having  for  the  first  eight  months  of  its  history,  a  superior 
drill  master  in  the  person  of  Maj.  S.  C.  Vance.  Under  his 
able  supervision  the  battalion  moved  with  clock-like  regu 
larity.  Now  after  a  year  and  a  half  of  invaluable  experi 
ence  in  discipline,  drill,  skirmishing,  scouting,  bridge 
guarding,  railway  and  train  guarding,  provost  duty  in  vil 
lage  and  city,  picket  duty,  regimental,  brigade  and  division 
evolutions  in  the  field,  it  was  ready  to  take  a  place  at  the 
front,  and  enter  upon  a  campaign,  w7hich  was  not  to  end 
until  the  surrender  of  all  the  Confederate  armies  in  North 
Carolina,  and  upon  a  march  which  was  not  to  cease  until  it 
passed  through  Atlanta,  Savannah,  Raleigh  and  Rich- 


72  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

mond,  and  entered  in  triumph  the  national  capital,  Wash 
ington. 

Headquarters  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps, 

Lookout  Valley,  Tenn.,  February  12,  1864. 
Maj.  Gen.  Hooker: 

General — I  would  respectfully   report  that  in  compliance 
with  your  order,  I  visited  Nashville. 

My  opinion  in  the  premises  is  that  the  interests  of  the  ser 
vice  would  be  best  promoted  by  moving  General  Ward's 
Brigade,  if  not  his  division,  to  the  front.  Their  present  con 
dition  near  Nashville,  with  its  temptation  to  soldiers,  will  not 
be  improved.  The  command  is  represented  to  be  in  a  very 
high  state  of  discipline  and  perfection  in  drill. 
I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DANIEL  BUTTERFIELD, 

Maj.  Gen.,  Chief  of  Staff. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
ON    TO    RICHMOND 

The  column  moved  out  on  the  Murfreesboro  pike  at 
seven  o'clock  on  February  twenty-fourth,  1864.  On  this  date 
an  officer  writes :  "I  rose  at  four  o'clock  this  morning  to  pre 
pare  for  the  march,  and  was  just  dressed  when  an  old  black 
fellow  knocked  at  my  door  and  asked  whether  I  could  give 
him  a  coffin.  'A  coffin,  old  man!  What  ails  you?'  I  said. 
'My  chile  ten  years  ole  died  to-night  and  I'se  gwine  wid  de 
rigement,  and  you  said  my  wife  couldn't  go  long,  and  she 
ain't  got  noffin  wid  her  to  bury  de  chile  in.'  So  I  woke  up 
the  regimental  carpenter,  and  set  him  to  work  on  some  old 
boards."  Of  the  first  night  out  the  same  officer  writes: 
"The  boys  of  the  regiment  became  cold  about  midnight, 
and  rose  howling  over  the  camp  fire  till  dawn.  I  sleep 
with  my  overcoat  for  a  night  gown  and  take  off  my  boots;" 
then  referring  to  a  statement  his  correspondent  had  made, 
he  adds,  "and  so  did  General  Dumont  until  he  went  home, 
and  if  as  you  say  he  gets  into  bed  now  booted  and  spurred, 
it's  to  give  his  family  some  idea  of  the  terrors  of  war." 

Of  the  second  evening  he  writes:  "Our  camp  ground  is 
full  of  rabbits,  and  we  have  caught  at  least  one  hundred 
and  fifty  and  one  fox.  The  boys  stewed  Reynard,  but  I 
can't  say  they  succeeded  in  eating  him."  Then  on  the 
twenty-eighth :  "To-day  we  passed  through  a  beautiful  coun 
try,  inhabited  for  the  most  part  by  loyal  people.  The  doors  of 
the  houses  along  the  road  were  filled  with  ladies  greeting 
us  with  waving  flags.  It  began  raining  at  night  and  con 
tinued  for  thirty-six  hours,  changing  at  last  into  a  sleet.  I 


73 


74  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

can't  tell  how  many  times  I  heard  remarks  similar  to  these: 
Wouldn't  my  mother  think  her  boy  was  gone  up  if  she 
could  see  this?'  'What  would  your  wife  say  if  she  could 
see  you  now?'  Twenty-five  of  our  mules  died  in  the  har 
ness,  but  the  men  bore  up  wonderfully;  indeed  it  would 
have  made  you  cry  to  hear  them  cheering  each  other. 
Now  and  then  some  poor  fellow  stumbling,  would  sink 
down  under  his  gun  and  knapsack,  and  groan  in  a  semi- 
ludicrous  manner,  'O  God,  boys,  I'm  ready  for  peace  on  any 
terms.'  When  after  wading  through  knee  deep  mortar 
the  troops  were  encamped  at  night  in  a  swamp  near  Tulla- 
homa,  it  was  thought  wise  to  issue  a  ration  of  whisky  to 
each  man.  Many  refused  to  accept,  but  passed  it  on  to 
those  who  felt  the  need  of  a  double  or  triple  dose,  and  as  a 
result,  not  a  few  became  howling  drunk." 

J.  H.  Kelly :  "The  regiment  marched  in  rear  of  the  bri 
gade,  and  Companies  I  and  K,  in  charge  of  the  wagons,  be 
hind  everything.  The  rain  and  the  tramping  in  front  soon 
put  the  dirt  road  in  a  fearful  condition,  so  that  we  strug 
gled  and  floundered  along  all  day  in  the  red,  sticky 
Tennessee  mud.  When  night  came  we  found  ourselves 
left  alone,  with  the  train  stuck  fast.  It  was  so  intensely 
dark  we  could  see  nothing,  but  found  some  rotten  logs  by 
feeling  around  with  our  feet,  and  breaking  them  up,  placed 
them  side  by  side  as  a  platform,  with  top  above  the  sur 
rounding  water.  On  this  we  kindled  our  fire  with  bark 
stripped  from  the  side  of  a  tree  that  was  least  soaked. 
Fuel  was  so  scarce  and  poor  that  it  kept  one  or  two  busy 
hunting  it  up  to  replenish  our  fire.  There  was  no  place  to 
lie  down  or  even  sit,  except  on  a  water-soaked  log  or  chunk. 
Men  would  go  to  sleep  leaning  against  a  tree,  slip  and  fall 
into  the  water.  At  intervals  through  the  night  could  be 


ON    TO    RICHMOND  75 

heard  above  the  pattering  rain  and  the  dashing  sleet  the 
struggle  of  a  mule  as  he  fell,  having  succumbed  to  fatigue 
and  exposure,  and  sacrificed  his  life  for  his  country." 

An  officer  writes:  "I  gave  my  tent  and  blankets  to  Cap 
tain  Fisher,  for  he  is  an  old  man  and  not  very  well.  There 
was  little  or  no  self  denial  in  this,  for  I  was  so  wet  that  it 
seemed  safer  to  sit  through  the  night  by  a  smouldering  log 
heap  than  to  fall  asleep  in  damp  clothes." 

J.  E.  Cleland,  dating  his  letter  two  days  later,  "Twelve 
miles  beyond  Hell,"  writes:  "It  took  six  gallons  of  com 
missary  to  drag  Companies  I  and  K  through  the  mud,  ice 
and  water  into  camp."  J.  M.  Brown:  "It  was  the  coldest 
rain  I  ever  saw.  I  lay  in  the  water  about  three  inches 
deep  all  night,  so  you  may  know  how  I  slept."  The  fol 
lowing  day  many  were  engaged  in  extricating  the  wagons 
from  the  mire,  many  of  the  whisky  drinkers  were  on  the 
stool  of  repentance,  while  the  commanders  of  the  regi 
ments  made  the  monthly  muster. 

On  March  fourth  the  wrong  road  was  taken,  and  the  troops 
tramped  many  miles  over  the  mountains  unnecessarily. 
Instead  of  retracing  their  steps,  they  wisely  made  their 
tiresome  way  through  woods  and  over  rocks  till  they  ar 
rived  at  the  point  they  should  have  reached  hours  before. 
Daybreak  on  March  ninth  found  the  regiment  on  its  way 
across  the  Tennessee  pontoon  bridge,  into  the  region  of 
dead  mules.  The  road  was  lined  with  decomposing  car 
casses,  forty  or  fifty  lying  within  a  few  rods  in  some  places, 
so  that  from  Bridgeport  to  Wauhatchie  it  was  impossible 
to  draw  a  pure  breath. 

The  tenth  of  March,  after  a  dozen  miles  of  trudging, 
brought  the  regiment  to  the  Wauhatchie  encampment  on 
a  picturesque  hillside,  under  the  frowning  heights  of  Look- 


7  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

out  Mountain.  Major  General  Howard,  the  Corps  com 
mander,  met  it  on  its  arrival,  and  inspected  it  minutely. 
The  men  were  exhausted  by  the  last  day's  march  through 
the  hot  sun  and  the  polluted  atmosphere,  and  some  fainted 
as  they  stood  in  the  ranks,  while  General  Howard  was  rid 
ing  along  the  lines. 

For  several  days  the  weather  was  exceedingly  un 
pleasant,  the  winds  roaring  around  the  base  of  the  moun 
tains,  as  if  determined  to  carry  even  the  lowly  shelter  tents 
into  the  river.  All  were  astonished  at  a  snowfall  fourteen 
inches  deep,  but  thought  Northerners  ought  not  to  com 
plain  as  long  as  the  Southern  army  nearby  had  to  endure 
the  same  affliction. 

As  soon  as  the  weather  made  it  practicable  timber  was 
cut  on  the  mountain  side,  lumber  was  made  by  splitting 
logs,  and  the  men  built  what  they  called  frame  houses,  into 
which  they  could  enter  without  stooping.  Hewed  log 
dwellings  with  old  fashioned  hospitable  fireplaces  were 
erected  for  the  officers.  Pine  and  fir  trees  were  trans 
planted  from  the  heights  to  the  streets  of  the  little  city,  and 
graceful  arches  of  cedar  spanned  them  at  either  end.  A 
beautiful  decoration  composed  of  evergreen,  moss  and 
flowers  embowered  headquarters,  and  the  whole  place  was 
more  like  a  park  than  a  camp. 

Lieutenant  Grubbs:  "If  you  could  step  into  my  cosy 
little  home  and  notice  how  neat  and  nice  and  warm  it  is 
you  would  think  the  soldier's  life  was  not  so  hard  after  all; 
that  at  least  it  had  its  hours  of  enjoyment,  as  cheerful  as 
ever  one  knew  in  other  days  and  other  places.  A  fire 
never  sparkled  more  brightly,  or  sang  more  merrily  than 
mine,  nor  could  any  throw  its  genial  warmth  throughout 
the  room  more  completely.  Soldiering  here  is  such  that 


ON    TO    RICHMOND  77 

the  most  romantic  can  enjoy  it.  And  yet  our  work  is  in 
cessant.  We  have  not  passed  an  idle  day  since  our  arrival. 
We  worked  hard  at  our  encampment  until  now,  despite  all 
the  disadvantages  we  labored  under;  we  have  the  most 
neatly  arranged  and  comfortable  camp  we  have  had  since 
we  entered  the  service.  And  now  that  our  encampment 
is  finished,  our  houses  built  and  our  trees  planted,  the  old 
orders  for  drill  have  again  sprung  into  life,  and  four  hours 
out  of  each  day  we  must  spend  perfecting  ourselves  in  the 
evolutions  of  the  soldier. 

''The  men  imagined  that  when  we  should  leave  Nashville, 
style  would  play  out  in  the  Seventieth,  and  congratulated 
themselves  on  the  speedy  coming  of  that  auspicious  day. 
But  we  have  learned  that  in  proportion  as  we  approach  the 
front  and  draw  near  the  lines  of  the  enemy,  in  that  propor 
tion  does  the  thoroughness  and  rigidness  of  inspections 
and  reviews  increase.  On  Sunday  at  regimental  inspec 
tion,  though  there  was  not  a  spectator,  the  regiment  never 
appeared  so  well.  Guns  never  shone  more  brightly  nor 
clothing  looked  more  neat  and  clean.  Many  a  man  will 
learn  lessons  of  neatness  and  tidiness  in  the  army  he  never 
knew  at  home.  How  many  men  at  home  will  go  to  church 
with  their  shoes  unblacked  and  their  clothes  undusted? 
But  the  soldier  who  dares  venture  on  Sunday  morning  in 
spection  with  unpolished  shoes  and  dusty  clothes  receives 
a  public  reprimand,  and  is  fortunate  indeed  if  he  escapes  so 
easily.  I  could  march  my  company  into  a  fashionable 
church  on  Sabbath  morning  and  they  would  do  no  dis 
honor  to  its  cushioned  seats  and  carpeted  floors." 

A  letter  from  another  officer:  "Major  Generals  Hooker 
and  Butterfield  called  the  other  day  and  walked  around, 
expressing  themselves  as  perfectly  delighted,  with  the  ele- 


7&  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

gance  and  cleanliness  of  the  camp,  and  the  healthy  appear 
ance  of  the  men.  General  Hooker  was  enthusiastic, 
exclaiming  that  he  had  never  seen  anything  to  equal  it, 
that  the  whole  camp  was  as  perfect  as  a  parlor.  Without 
exception  the  men  agree  that  they  never  had  a  finer  camp 
and  never  felt  in  better  humor." 

On  the  organization  of  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps  the 
Seventieth  was  assigned  to  the  First  Brigade,  Third  Divis 
ion,  in  which  it  continued  till  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  by  Lieutenant  Grubbs, 
dated  April  twenty-ninth,  should  be  inserted  to  show  how 
well  the  Third  Division  of  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps 
could  move  at  the  command  of  one  of  the  greatest  men  the 
war  produced,  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas;  how  thoroughly 
it  was  prepared  for  the  great  movement  in  which  it  was 
about  to  engage,  and  above  all,  how  little  a  sham  battle  is 
like  a  real  one.  "Yesterday  we  held  a  division  drill  and 
went  gallantly  through  all  the  maneuvers  of  a  sham  battle. 
We  moved  from  camp  at  ten  o'clock  and  marched  four 
miles  to  the  drill  ground.  There  we  rested  while  the  other 
brigades  came  on  the  field.  A  half  hour  later  General 
Butterfield  and  staff  rode  up  and  the  long  line  was  formed. 
We  stood  at  attention  while  Generals  Thomas,  Hooker, 
Brannon,  Whipple  and  others  rode  through  the  lines  and 
took  their  station  on  an  eminence  that  overlooked  the  en 
tire  field.  In  the  center  were  the  dense  columns  of  troops, 
on  the  right  and  left  batteries,  in  the  rear  ambulances. 

"We  maneuvered  for  an  hour,  now  advancing,  now  re 
treating,  now  forming  heavy  columns,  then  breaking  into 
line  of  battle,  moving  first  in  quick,  then  in  double  quick 
time;  then  there  was  a  rest  for  a  few  moments,  then  the 
work  commenced.  To  repel  a  charge  of  cavalry  we  were 


ON    TO    RICHMOND  79 

first  thrown  on  the  double  quick  into  squares.  Sections  of 
artillery  were  formed  in  the  angles,  and  a  heavy  fire  was 
opened  on  the  imaginary  enemy.  Then  we  were  moved 
eastward  a  short  distance,  and  the  four  miles  of  the  valley 
lay  before  us.  We  had  provided  ourselves  with  forty 
rounds  of  blank  cartridges  and  were  anxious  to  use  them. 
One  regiment  was  thrown  forward  as  skirmishers,  and  ex 
tended  its  lines  clear  across  the  valley  and  up  the  hills  on 
either  side.  Two  long  lines  of  battle  two  hundred  yards 
apart  were  formed  across  the  valley,  while  our  regiment 
and  the  Thirty-third  Massachusetts  were  held  in  column  in 
reserve.  Our  two  right  companies  were  sent  to  the  ex 
treme  right  to  cover  and  support  the  battery  which  had 
commenced  to  play  from  a  little  hill  that  looked  out  upon 
the  valley. 

"The  call  sounded  and  the  entire  division  moved 
forward.  We  were  advancing  upon  the  enemy  and  it  was 
our  first  even  sham  battle.  Soon  the  sharp  crack  of  guns 
in  front  proclaimed  that  the  skirmishers  were  engaged. 
We  had  been  advancing  about  five  hundred  yards,  and 
the  firing  was  rapid  and  continuous  in  front,  when  we  came 
upon  a  small  ridge  that  ran  directly  across  the  valley,  and 
the  whole  field  opened  like  a  map  before  us.  A  quarter  of 
a  mile  beyond  was  the  beautiful  line  of  skirmishers,  sway 
ing  from  hillside  to  hillside  as  the  men  alternately  halted  to 
load  and  fire,  and  then  advanced,  the  white  puff  of  smoke 
springing  from  the  guns  and  curling  above  their  heads  as 
each  one  shot.  In  rear  of  them  and  a  hundred  yards  apart 
were  two  long  lines  of  battle,  each  three  thousand  strong, 
moving  steadily  forward  and  keeping  pace  with  the  skirm 
ishers.  Imagine  now  a  fight;  the  skirmishers  drawn  in,  the 
troops  that  were  yet  in  column  thrown  into  line  on  the 


80  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

double  quick,  we  hastening  a  mile  around  to  the  left;  the 
roll  of  musketry,  the  thunder  of  cannon." 

A  few  days  before  the  campaign  began  quantities  of 
potatoes,  onions  and  sauer  kraut  were  issued,  with  instruc 
tions,  it  was  said,  from  General  Sherman,  to  eat  enough 
in  a  week  to  keep  off  scorbutic  diseases  for  the  summer. 

It  may  not  be  amiss,  in  order  to  give  some  idea  of  what 
was  in  store  for  us,  to  quote  a  few  lines  from  a  letter  by 
Major  General  Lawton,  who,  as  an  officer  in  the  Thirtieth 
Indiana,  took  part  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  also  dis 
tinguished  himself  in  Cuba  and  the  Philippines.     "You  ask 
me  to  give  a  comparison  of  the  two  wars.     There  is  no 
comparison  to  be  made.     The  war  of  the  Rebellion  was 
one  of  the  greatest  conflicts  the  world  has  ever  known;  the 
war  with  Spain  is  probably  one  of  the  least,  so  far  as  actual 
operations    are    concerned,    that    has    ever    been    fought. 
The  exposure  of  the  Cuban  campaign  for  a  few  days  was 
very  trying,  but  it  was  nothing  to  compare  in  time  or  con 
ditions  to  our  civil  war.     The  rations  in  Cuba  were  better 
than  anything  we  ever  had,  or  believed  it  possible  for  an 
army  to  have  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.     It  is  true  that 
for  a  few  days  in  Cuba  we  were  short,  but  that  was  for  lack 
of  transportation,  and  then  we  were  never  without  some 
portion  of  the  ration,  and  that  portion  was  better  than  our 
soldiers  had  at  the  best  during  the  civil  war." 

The  following  is  a  statement  of  the  strength  of  the  army 
Sherman  proposed  to  throw  against  the  enemy: 

Army  of  the  Cumberland.  General  Thomas. 

Infantry 54,568 

Artillery  (Field  Guns  130) 2,377 

Cavalry 3,828 

60,773 


ON   TO    RICHMOND  8l 

Army  of  the  Tennessee.          General  McPherson. 

Infantry 22,437 

Artillery  (Field  Guns  96) 1,404 

Cavalry 624 

24,465 

Army  of  the  Ohio.  General  Schofield. 

Infantry 11,183 

Artillery  (Field  Guns  28) 679 

Cavalry 1,697 

13,559 

Aggregate  Men 9^,797 

Aggregate  Cannon 254 

It  is  but  human  for  men  who  before  a  conflict  think  that 
one  man  on  the  side  they  represent  is  equal  to  five  of  the 
opposing  force,  after  defeat  to  convince  themselves,  and  to 
attempt  to  convince  the  world  that  the  result  was  owing  to 
overwhelming  numbers,  but  an  extract  from  a  document 
issued  at  the  Executive  Office  in  Richmond,  by  President 
Jefferson  Davis,  throws  a  light  that  clearly  reveals  the 
situation  as  it  existed  on  the  Atlanta  campaign: 

"I  could  not  discover  between  the  forces  of  General 
Johnston  and  General  Sherman  any  such  disparity  as  was 
alleged,  nor  do  I  believe  that  our  army  in  any  military  de 
partment  since  the  beginning  of  the  war  has  been  so  nearly 
equal  in  numbers  with  the  enemy  as  in  this  last  campaign 
of  General  Johnston.  As  the  loss  in  killed  and  wounded, 
sick  and  prisoners,  in  infantry  and  artillery  alone  was 
22,000  men,  and  would  probably  be  swollen  to  25,000  by 
adding  the  loss  in  cavalry,  and  as  the  force  available  on 
the  loth  of  July  was  about  62,000,  it  is  deduced  that  General 
Johnston  had  been  in  command  of  an  army  of  about  85,000 
men  fit  for  active  duty  to  oppose  Sherman,  whose  effective 


82  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

force  was  not  believed  to  have  been  much  in  excess  of  that 
number.  The  entire  force  of  the  enemy  was  considerably 
greater  than  the  numbers  I  have  mentioned,  and  so  was 
General  Johnston's,  but  in  considering  the  merits  of  the 
campaign  it  is  not  necessary  to  do  more  than  compare  the 
actual  strength  of  the  armies  which  might  have  joined  the 
issue  of  battle.  When  it  is  considered  that  with  forces 
thus  matched  General  Johnston  was  endeavoring  to  hold 
a  mountainous  district  of  our  own  country  with  numerous 
fortified  positions,  while  the  enemy  was  in  the  midst  of  a 
hostile  population  and  with  a  long  line  of  communications 
to  guard,  it  is  evident  that  it  was  not  the  want  of  men  or 
means  which  caused  the  disastrous  failure  of  his  cam 
paign." 

JEFFN  DAVIS. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

IN   THE   FACE    OF   THE    ENEMY 

On  Monday  morning,  May  second,  1864,  the  regiment 
entered  Georgia,  and  encamped  in  the  evening  near  Lee 
and  Gordon's  Mills,  remaining  there  one  day.  On  the 
fourth  we  moved  out  toward  Buzzards'  Roost  or  Rocky 
Faced  Ridge  and  found  the  enemy  strongly  entrenched  at 
Dalton.  A  letter  dated  Sunday  the  eighth  says:  "There 
was  a  large  turn  out  to  preaching  this  morning  in  God's 
first  temple,  for  the  poor  fellows  of  our  regiment  feel  pretty 
solemn  at  the  prospect  of  a  coming  battle."  Until  the 
ninth,  brisk  skirmishing  was  kept  up,  then  an  advance  was 
made  through  Snake  Creek  Gap. 

General  Sherman  states  his  conviction  in  his  Memoirs 
that  if  McPherson  had  pushed  things  as  instructed,  John 
ston's  army  would  have  been  badly  crippled,  if  not  de 
stroyed. 

An  extract  from  the  diary  of  Wm.  Wilhite  gives  infor 
mation  as  to  the  happenings  of  the  first  days  of  May. 
"We  broke  up  camp  at  seven  A.  M.  and  marched  in  the 
direction  of  Lafayette,  Georgia,  crossing  over  the  nose  of 
Lookout  Mountain,  through  Rossville  and  Rossville  Gap, 
over  Chickamauga  battle  field,  and  reached  Lee  and  Gor 
don's  Mills  about  four  P.  M.,  where  we  went  into  camp 
with  tired  limbs  and  blistered  feet,  having  traveled  about 
sixteen  miles.  Thinking  we  were  to  remain  here  for  a 
while,  we  built  on  the  next  day  very  respectable  cabins  out 
of  pine  poles  and  occupied  them  through  the  night. 

"Marching  orders  came  on  the  fourth,  so  we  very  reluct- 

83 


84  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

antly  left  our  newly  constructed  quarters,  and  turning  off 
the  Lafayette  road,  crossed  the  Chickamauga  on  a  very 
treacherous  bridge,  partially  burned  by  the  rebels,  and 
moved  toward  Ringgold.  Company  D  was  on  the  flank  and 
we  could  hear  firing  in  the  direction  of  Tunnel  Hill.  The 
weather  was  very  warm,  but  we  marched  thirteen  miles 
and  halted  within  two  miles  of  Ringgold.  We  lay  in  camp 
on  the  fifth  listening  to  the  occasional  firing  in  front.  On 
the  sixth  we  started  at  seven  A.  M.  and  halted  for  the  night 
at  Nickajack  Gap  on  Chapman's  Farm.  The  weather  was 
very  hot,  and  our  progress  was  hindered  by  the  rebels  hav 
ing  blockaded  the  way  with  timber. 

"On  the  seventh  we  set  out  at  six  A.  M.,  crossed  Taylor's 
Ridge  where  our  advance  encountered  rebel  scouts,  rout 
ing  them  and  capturing  some  prisoners,  arms  and  horses. 
We  marched  through  the  heat  thirteen  miles  and  halted 
within  six  miles  of  Dalton.  May  eighth  we  lay  in  camp 
with  arms  stacked  ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  warning. 
We  remained  in  camp  on  the  ninth  while  quite  a  battle 
was  raging  at  Tunnel  Hill  and  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  in  which 
part  of  our  Corps  was  engaged.  While  we  were  lying  in 
camp  on  the  tenth  we  heard  heavy  firing  in  the  direction  of 
Rocky  Face  Ridge  and  Tunnel  Hill  which  ceased  in  the 
evening,  and  the  news  reached  us  that  the  rebels  were  fall 
ing  back  to  Resaca,  where  they  would  probably  make  a 
stand.  After  a  rainy  night  we  were  aroused  at  four  o'clock 
on  May  eleventh,  prepared  a  hasty  breakfast,  marched  with 
wet  blankets  and  clothing  through  very  muddy  roads  ten 
miles  to  Snake  Creek  Gap.  The  next  morning  we  moved 
out  about  four  miles  and  remained  there  the  rest  of  the 
day  and  night,  while  firing  in  front  was  to  be  heard. 

"May  thirteenth  we  marched  at  seven  A.  M.,  but  only 


IN    THE    FACE    OF    THE    ENEMY  85 

moved  a  short  distance,  when  we  halted  and  saw  Generals 
Sherman,  Schofield,  Hooker,  Thomas,  McPherson  and 
Kilpatrick  holding  a  council  nearby.  After  awhile  they 
went  to  their  different  commands,  but  soon  Kilpatrick,  at 
the  head  of  his  troops,  dashed  to  the  front.  'T'was  not 
long  till  heavy  firing  was  heard,  and  the  news  came  back 
that  the  General  had  run  into  an  ambush  and  was  badly 
wounded.  He  was  soon  brought  back  in  an  ambulance, 
and  we  fell  in  and  moved  forward,  being  in  the  second  line 
of  battle.  There  was  heavy  skirmishing,  but  the  rebels 
kept  falling  back.  Occasionally  one  killed  or  wounded 
was  brought  to  the  rear,  and  now  and  then  a  cannon  ball 
came  crashing  through  the  trees  above  our  heads,  and  the 
minie  balls  came  singing  their  unwelcome  music.  About 
sundown  we  were  ordered  to  relieve  the  advance  line,  and 
passing  the  Twelfth  Indiana,  learned  that  Captain  Peoples 
had  been  killed. 

"While  we  were  in  the  second  line  lying  back  in  the 
woods,  Colonel  Merrill,  who  was  inclined  to  be  a  little  jolly 
sometimes,  wras  standing  holding  his  horse,  and  when  the 
small  shells  came  crashing  through  the  trees,  as  we  thought 
uncomfortably  low,  he  began  to  poke  fun  at  the  boys  for 
rather  drooping  their  heads.  Presently  he  mounted  his 
horse  and  we  were  ordered  forward  a  few  rods.  When  we 
halted  the  Colonel  took  off  his  hat,  hung  it  on  the  pommel 
of  his  saddle,  took  out  his  handkerchief  and  was  leisurely 
wiping  his  brow,  when  one  of  those  big  shells  that  comes 
as  if  it  were  saying  you!  you!  you!  and  you  can't  tell  which 
you  it  means,  came  whizzing  through  the  trees,  and  passed 
just  above  his  head.  Of  course  the  head  went  down,  and 
then  it  was  the  boys'  time  to  laugh.  After  they  had  got 
somewhat  through,  the  Colonel,  enjoying  the  joke  as  well 


86  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

as  any  of  them,  looked  around  and  said,  'Boys,  you  may 
dodge  the  big  ones.' 

"The  rebels  were  soon  driven  into  their  works,  and  the 
firing  ceased  for  the  night,  except  an  occasional  shot.  We 
halted  at  the  edge  of  a  thick  woods,  made  some  coffee, 
after  which  we  moved  farther  into  the  woods,  sent  out 
skirmishers  and  were  ordered  to  lie  down  on  our  arms  and 
rest.  On  May  fourteenth  heavy  firing  began  at  the  first 
peep  of  day  between  our  skirmishers  and  the  rebel  sharp 
shooters.  About  nine  o'clock  Company  D  was  deployed 
as  skirmishers,  and  ordered  to  move  down  to  the  foot  of  a 
steep  bluff  in  front  and  halt  till  further  orders.  We  im 
mediately  moved  down  under  a  raging  fire,  and  halted  be 
hind  a  low  brush  fence.  After  lying  here  for  a  while,  and 
before  being  ordered  forward,  I  was  wounded  and  taken 
to  the  rear." 

Going  back  to  the  thirteenth,  we  marched  toward  Resaca, 
coming  up  with  the  enemy  in  the  evening.  After  being 
formed  in  line  of  battle  and  waiting  till  dark  we  moved  to 
the  left  and  took  position  on  a  ridge  in  the  front  line.  At 
the  foot  of  the  hill  was  a  field  about  fifty  rods  wide  which 
lay  between  the  ridge  and  a  forest  occupied  by  the  enemy. 
Pickets  under  command  of  Captain  Carson  were  thrown 
out  for  the  night,  and  were  relieved  the  following  morning 
by  Company  D  under  command  of  Captain  Tansey,  who 
later  in  the  day  cautiously  advanced  the  skirmish  line. 

About  one  o'clock,  in  order,  it  was  said,  to  attract  the 
attention  of  the  enemy  while  a  charge  was  being  made  a 
mile  or  two  to  the  left  by  the  First  Division,  the  regiment 
descended  the  hill  and  lay  down  by  a  fence,  prepared  to  ad 
vance  across  the  field  should  the  order  be  given.  Here  an 
incident  with  both  an  amusing  and  a  serious  phase  oc- 


IN    THE   FACE   OF   THE   ENEMY  87 

curred.  A  sharpshooter  from  the  crest  of  the  ridge  in  the 
rear  fired  several  shots  at  the  enemy's  skirmishers.  At 
each  crack  of  his  rifle  at  least  a  score  of  bullets  as  a  reply 
would  whiz  about  the  ears  of  our  unprotected  men  be 
neath.  One  of  the  field  officers,  provoked  by  his  thought 
lessness,  sent  a  Sergeant  back  to  arrest  and  bring  him  to  the 
front.  In  a  short  time  the  Sergeant  returned  unaccom 
panied,  and  reported  that  Major  General  Butterfield  had 
possessed  himself  of  a  telescopic  rifle  and  ensconced  be 
hind  a  tree  was  improving  his  marksmanship  at  the  ex 
pense  of  the  Confederate  pickets,  and  especially  of  his  own 
troops.  After  one  or  two  more  shots,  probably  to  show 
the  Sergeant  that  he  could  not  be  intimidated,  the  double 
starred  sharpshooter  ceased  firing. 

While  we  were  in  this  exposed  position,  unable  to  make 
any  response  on  account  of  the  danger  to  the  Union 
pickets  in  front,  two  enlisted  men  were  killed,  and  Lieu 
tenant  Martin  and  ten  men  in  the  ranks  were  wounded. 
After  looking  out  over  the  unattractive  field  for  some 
hours  the  men  were  ordered  to  retire,  a  few  at  a  time,  to  the 
position  formerly  occupied  on  the  ridge. 

J.  L.  Ketcham:  "We  were  nearly  all  night  getting 
ready  for  the  fight.  Found  ourselves  next  morning  on  a 
woody  hill  and  the  rebels  just  opposite.  They  were  on  a 
hill,  shaped  it  seemed  to  me  something  like  an  egg,  and 
with  an  open  space  all  round  it,  the  strongest  natural  forti 
fication  I  ever  saw.  Then  they  had  three  or  four  lines  of 
intrenchments.  Between  us  and  them,  in  the  open  space, 
was  a  deep,  muddy  ditch,  so  it  would  have  been  folly  for 
us  to  make  a  charge  there.  We  sent  out  skirmishers,  who 
hid  behind  stumps  in  the  open  field,  and  shot  and  were 
shot  at  all  day.  One  good  thing  our  hill  was  round,  too, 


88  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

so  we  could  get  behind  it.  Bullets  from  rebel  sharp 
shooters  kept  flying  past  us  all  day,  wounding  a  man  now 
and  then.  General  Ward  couldn't  keep  still,  he  wanted  to 
make  a  charge  so  bad.  At  last  he  ordered  the  brigade 
forward,  so  our  regiment,  the  only  one  that  advanced,  went 
over  the  hill  in  about  ten  seconds  (no  exaggeration)  and 
hid  behind  a  fence  at  the  bottom.  It  would  have  taken  us 
three  quarters  of  an  hour  to  cross  that  open  field.  What 
would  have  been  our  loss  had  we  advanced?  We  waited 
behind  the  fence  till  dark." 

On  the  morning  of  May  fifteenth  the  regiment  was  relieved 
and  marched  to  the  left  several  miles,  and  as  it  was  Sunday 
saw  men  of  other  organizations  engaged  in  religious  serv 
ices.  As  the  report  gained  credence  that  a  charge  was  to 
be  made  on  the  enemy's  works,  some  humorous  semi- 
solemn  remarks  were  made  by  men  who  were  not  frequent 
listeners  to  the  Chaplain's  sermons,  as  to  the  desirability  of 
halting  and  spending  the  day  in  devotional  exercises.  At 
last  there  was  a  halt,  and  a  command  to  unsling  knapsacks 
and  fix  bayonets.  The  Seventieth  was  formed  in  line  of 
battle  and  behind  were  the  other  regiments  of  the  First 
Brigade  in  similar  formation,  the  whole  in  a  column  of 
battalions,  with  intervals  of  forty  paces  between  each  regi 
ment.  General  Hooker,  attended  by  other  officers,  rode 
forward  and  stated  that  some  guns  belonging  to  the  enemy 
on  the  opposite  hill  were  to  be  taken. 

For  a  few  moments  there  was  a  stillness  in  which  we 
could  hear  a  leaf  fall.  No  wonder,  for  there  were  men  in 
that  line  who  were  to  live  but  a  few  moments  longer. 
Alas,  not  all  were  ready  for  the  sacrifice!  One  man  said, 
"Captain,  let  me  fill  the  canteens  at  that  spring  and  bring 
them  to  the  boys."  Canteens  nor  man  were  ever  seen 


IN    THE    FACE    OF   THE   ENEMY  89 

again.  Many  a  dying  soldier  cried  in  vain  for  water  be 
cause  of  this  cowardly  perfidy.  One  of  those,  however, 
who  looked  death  in  the  face  said,  "I  can  feel  the  little 
hands  of  my  babies  around  my  neck,  and  hear  my  wife 
whispering  goodbye."  Another,  as  he  threw  away  a  pack 
of  cards,  "I  don't  want  to  be  killed  with  these  in  my 
pocket."  Another,  "If  I  fall  and  you  survive  take  what 
you  find  in  my  knapsack  to  mother." 

The  thoughts  of  the  older  man  who  has  left  a  family 
have  a  wider  range  than  the  younger.  The  breastworks, 
the  rocks,  the  trees,  the  armed  men  sink  out  of  sight,  and 
the  husband  and  father  is  in  his  Indiana  home  where  the 
little  children  cling  to  him,  and  wife  breathes  what  seems 
to  be  an  eternal  goodbye.  It  is  a  heartbreaking  moment, 
but  the  little  fingers  are  quickly  loosened,  and  again  he  is 
in  Georgia  under  bonds  to  duty.  What  matters  what  hap 
pens?  If  this  is  all  there  is  of  life,  if  love  means  agony,  it 
is  well  to  have  all  ended  quickly.  Or  if  this  be  but  the 
threshold  of  existence,  then  it  were  well  to  storm  the  ram 
parts  defended  by  death  and  burst  into  the  realms  of  life 
eternal. 

We  remember  the  silent  movement  of  the  line  through 
the  woods,  the  ringing  cheer  for  Indiana,  the  sweep  across 
the  field,  the  odor  of  resin  as  the  canister  burst  above  us, 
the  sand  thrown  in  our  faces  by  the  shot  that  struck  before 
us,  the  rush  through  the  thicket,  the  dash  into  the  redoubt, 
the  breastworks  in  rear  deserted  by  the  flying  enemy,  the 
agonizing  cry  to  our  men  behind  to  stop  firing  on  us,  the 
determined  feeling  as  we  lay  on  the  ground  and  clung  to 
the  captured  lunette,  while  bullets  from  front  and  rear, 
from  right  and  left  pattered  like  hail  on  the  leaves  by  our 
side.  Ah,  that  might  have  been  a  glorious  day  had  the 


QO  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

Generals  in  command  of  the  Second  and  Third  Divisions 
started  all  the  columns  at  once,  and  instead  of  staying  be 
hind,  gone  with  their  inexperienced  troops,  as  General 
Sheridan  would  have  done;  for  then  we  would  not  merely 
have  captured  the  battery,  we  would  have  driven  the  Con 
federates  into  the  river. 

The  narrative  requires  descriptions  with  increase  of  de 
tails  and  suppression  of  feeling. 

Just  at  noon, — two  of  the  regimental  commanders  how 
ever  in  their  official  reports  say  at  eleven  o'clock, — the  com 
mand  "Forward"  was  given  in  a  low  tone  and  the  regiment 
moved  silently  and  with  peifect  alignment  through  the 
woods.  When  the  foot  of  the  hill  was  reached,  and  a  com 
paratively  open  space  appeared,  Colonel  Harrison  in  a 
ringing  voice  commanded,  "Cheer  men  for  Indiana !  For 
ward!  Double  quick!  March!"  The  cheers  swelled 
into  a  grand  shout  as  the  whole  line  rushed  forward.  The 
cannon  in  the  lunette  thundered  a  reply,  but  there  was  no 
stopping  till  all  the  gunners  but  five  were  either  killed  or 
taken  prisoners.  For  a  little  while  there  was  a  wild  scene 
in  the  lunette,  artillery  men  defending  their  guns,  Union 
officers  firing  their  pistols,  and  the  men  their  rifles;  now 
using  their  bayonets,  now  clubbing  their  muskets,  now 
leaping  on  the  cannon  and  waving  their  hats.  The  in 
fantry  in  the  works  beyond  the  fort,  seized  with  a  panic, 
left  their  coats  and  spades  in  the  trench  where  they  had 
been  working,  and  disappeared  for  the  time  through  the 
woods  in  the  rear. 

At  this  moment  when  the  center  was  occupying  the 
lunette,  and  the  right  and  left  wings  of  the  regiment  were 
curving  about  it,  shots  from  the  rear  added  to  the  in 
tense  excitement.  There  were  thrilling  cries  of  "Stop  that 


IN   THE    FACE    OF   THE    ENEMY  91 

firing  in  the  rear!  For  God's  sake  don't  kill  your  own 
men!"  Then  came  the  rally  of  the  enemy  to  the  breast 
works  behind  the  lunette,  and  the  falling  to  the  ground  of 
our  men  in  a  semi-circle  about  the  fort.  An  enfilading  fire 
of  the  enemy's  batteries  far  to  the  right  and  left,  mistaken 
by  those  who  came  later  on  the  field  as  coming  from  the 
harmless  lunette,  and  the  continuous  rifle  shots  from  the 
concealed  infantry  twenty  yards  away,  could  not  drive  the 
regiment  from  its  exposed  position,  or  weaken  its  determi 
nation  to  see  that  those  guns  never  again  come  into  the 
hands  of  the  original  owners. 

In  the  course  of  time  men  in  the  other  brigades  and 
divisions  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  charged  gallantly  up  the 
hill,  where  the  First  Brigade  was  lying,  but  none  were  ex 
posed  to  the  shots,  of  the  now  silenced  guns,  and  no  hand 
touched  them  again  all  that  long  afternoon,  though  several 
brave  men  of  the  Second  Brigade  and  one  or  two  of  the 
Second  Division  fell  in  making  the  attempt. 

As  evening  approached  those  who  could  extricate  them 
selves  without  crossing  what  might  be  called  a  dead  line, 
were  moved  a  little  to  the  left,  where  a  repast  of  crackers, 
dinner  and  supper  combined,  was  partaken,  while  a  large 
number  under  command  of  Captains  Carson,  Meredith, 
Scott  and  other  line  officers,  aided  by  officers  and  men 
from  the  First  and  other  brigades,  protected  the  captured 
guns.  Subsequently  Captain  Carson  was  recalled  and 
ordered  to  take  the  fifty  men  of  Company  G  still  left  and 
report  to  an  officer  in  Colonel  Coburn's  command,  who, 
with  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  detailed  from  regiments 
of  the  Second  Brigade,  was  to  draw  the  captured  cannon 
from  the  lunette  under  cover  of  the  darkness.  The  firing 
from  both  sides  continued  after  night,  three  or  four  times 


92  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

swelling  into  what  might  be  called  a  volley,  but  the  ex 
trication  of  the  four  Napoleon  twelve  pounder  brass  pieces 
from  the  fort,  was  accomplished  with  little  loss,  and  before 
midnight  the  Confederates  had  evacuated  their  works  and 
all  was  quiet. 

Personally  it  matters  but  little  to  the  survivors  of  the 
Seventieth  Indiana  who  felt  in  their  faces  the  hot  breath  of 
the  battery  as  it  made  its  last  discharge,  that  others  claim 
the  credit  of  silencing  its  guns,  yet  when  they  think  of  their 
comrades  who  sleep  on  that  hillside,  they  utter  a  solemn 
protest  in  behalf  of  those  whose  voices  are  stilled  forever. 
An  officer  who  led  the  advance  of  the  Second  Division  and 
came  on  the  field  after  all  the  artillery  men  had  vanished 
from  the  scene,  reported  to  General  Geary,  "We  moved 
steadily  forward  until  within  fifteen  yards  of  the  battery 
when  I  ordered  the  regiment  to  halt  and  lie  down.  The 
position  was  one  of  extreme  peril,  but  we  held  it  from 
12:30  P.  M.  till  night."  Whereupon  the  General  com 
manding  this  Division  reported  to  General  Hooker,  to  say 
the  least  not  very  grammatically,  that  this  body  of  troops 
had  the  honor  of  "leading  and  forcing  its  way  through  the 
jaws  of  death  till  they  had  their  hands  upon  the  guns." 

General  Hooker  was  close  in  rear  of  the  compactly 
massed  assaulting  column,  so  no  subordinate  General  was 
needed  there,  and  if  the  General  of  the  Second  Division, 
while  other  troops  were  silencing  the  battery,  had  been  on 
time  and  led  his  command  over  the  deserted  breastworks 
in  pursuit  of  the  flying  enemy,  there  would  have  been  glory 
enough  to  supply  the  whole  Corps,  and  no  necessity  would 
have  arisen  for  him  to  claim  the  capture  of  guns  already 
silenced.  His  action  was  that  of  a  sportsman,  who  would 
stop  to  pick  up  and  gloat  over  game  a  hunter  in  front  had 


IN    THE    FACE    OF   THE    ENEMY  93 

dropped,  instead  of  pushing  through  the  woods  and  cap 
turing  his  own  prey.  Alas,  many  a  man  of  the  Seventieth 
Indiana  tossed  in  distress  through  the  night  as  he  lay  on 
the  ground,  forgetting  any  honor  that  might  come  from 
the  taking  of  a  little  lunette,  in  the  awful  loss  of  his  com 
rades  and  in  the  thought  of  the  great  victory  that  might 
have  been  achieved. 

"For  of  all  sad  words  of  tongue  or  pen, 

The  saddest  are  these,  'It  might  have  been.' ' 

One  has  only  to  read  the  modest  report  of  Colonel  John 
Coburn  commanding  the  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division, 
who  was  on  the  field  and  had  far  more  to  do  with  holding 
and  extricating  the  guns  after  they  were  captured  than  the 
commander  of  the  Second  Division,  to  discover  what  a 
wide  difference  there  is  in  men.  Not  to  mention  the  loss 
sustained  on  that  day  by  other  regiments  of  the  Third 
Division,  the  mortality  of  the  Seventieth  Indiana  alone 
exceeded  by  more  than  thirteen  per  cent  that  of  all  the 
twenty  regiments  and  two  batteries  combined  of  the  Sec 
ond  Division.  A  sad  testimony,  yet  eloquent  for  the  truth. 

The  historian  Gen.  J.  D.  Cox  states  the  following: 
"The  guns  remained  between  the  armies  till  night,  when 
they  were  taken  and  brought  off  by  a  detachment  of  the 
Fifth  Ohio  (Second  Division)  under  Colonel  Fitzpatrick." 
To  which  Captain  Frank  D.  Baldwin,  now  Captain  of  Fifth 
Infantry,  U.  S.  A.,  then  Captain  in  the  Nineteenth  Michi 
gan,  replies:  "It  is  a  fact  that  some  detachment  of  troops, 
probably  the  Fifth  Ohio,  did  come  up,  as  above  stated,  and 
bring  the  guns  off.  The  men  who  had  captured  them  be 
ing  fully  engaged  in  caring  for  their  dead  and  wounded 
comrades,  did  not  notice  that  the  guns  were  being  taken 


94  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

away  at  the  time,  as  it  was  not  thought  for  a  moment  that 
this  detachment  had  come  for  any  other  purpose  than  to 
assist  in  caring  for  the  wounded  and  dead."  No  wonder 
General  Coburn  when  his  attention  was  called  to  General 
Cox's  statement  exclaimed,  "In  reading  some  of  the  ac 
counts  of  army  history  of  which  I  supposed  from  my  per 
sonal  presence  and  participation  I  had  some  knowledge,  I 
have  been  led  to  doubt  my  personal  identity,  and  to  believe 
that  I  must  have  been  laboring  under  a  hallucination  while 
the  events  related  were  transpiring  before  my  eyes."  Then 
in  his  usual  generous  way  he  added,  "But  what  matters  it 
who  did  it!  We  all  helped;  we  gained  the  day;  we  sus 
tained  the  great  cause."  Still  let  the  fallen  again  bear 
mournful  witness,  so  that  history  may  not  be  a  black  and 
cruel  lie.  The  loss  that  day  of  the  Fifth  Ohio  was  killed 
three,  wounded  twelve.  Of  the  Seventieth  Indiana  killed 
twenty-six,  wounded  one  hundred  and  thirty. 

Lieutenant  Grubbs :  "The  Twentieth  Corps  was  massed 
that  Sabbath  noon  for  an  assault  upon  the  enemy's  works. 
The  assault  was  ordered  by  the  Third  Division,  General 
Butterfield,  to  be  supported  by  the  First  and  Second  Divis 
ions.  The  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  consisting  of  the 
Seventieth  Indiana,  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois, 
Seventy-ninth  Ohio,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  Illi 
nois,  and  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois  were  massed  by 
regiments  in  the  order  named  for  the  assault.  They  were 
to  be  supported  on  the  right  and  left  by  the  Second  and 
Third  Brigades  of  the  Division.  In  this  order  the  assault 
was  made,  down  a  hillside,  into  a  valley  across  an  open 
field  along  which  ran  a  roadway,  up  a  wooded  ridge,  to  a 
hill  crowned  with  a  redoubt,  from  which  four  guns  poured 
into  our  ranks  shot  and  shell.  With  our  ranks  thinned  by 


IN   THE   FACE    OF   THE   ENEMY  95 

the  deadly  fire,  and  broken  somewhat  by  the  rough 
ground,  with  a  wild  yell,  and  without  a  halt  we  reached  the 
summit  of  the  hill,  dropped  to  the  ground  as  we  saw  the 
rebel  gunners  in  the  act  of  discharging  their  pieces  in  our 
faces,  then  springing  to  our  feet,  in  a  moment  we  were  over 
the  earthworks  among  the  guns  and  they  were  ours. 

'Men  from  several  of  the  regiments  of  the  Brigade  en 
tered  the  redoubt,  and  their  dead  and  wounded  lay  on  or 
near  the  works  and  among  the  guns.  No  one  regiment 
may  claim  the  honor  of  the  assault  and  the  capture,  but 
that  it  belongs  to  the  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  there 
can  be  no  question.  Men,  especially  of  the  Second  Bri 
gade,  (General  Coburn's)  came  to  our  aid,  and  all  that  long 
and  terrible  afternoon  they  helped  us  to  hold  these  guns, 
else  we  would  have  been  compelled  to  relinquish  them. 

"These  facts  are  clear.  First:  No  other  troops  except  a 
thin  skirmish  line  were  in  front  of  the  First  Brigade,  Third 
Division,  as  it  advanced  to  the  assault.  Everything  was 
clear  in  front,  and  there  was  not  an  obstacle  to  interfere 
with  our  progress  until  we  came  within  range  of  the 
enemy's  fire.  Second:  From  the  time  the  advance  was 
commenced  no  halt  was  made,  except  for  a  moment,  until 
we  were  in  the  enemy's  works.  Our  line  was  not  fifteen  feet 
from  the  embrasures  when  the  guns  were  discharged  in 
our  faces.  Third:  The  guns  were  silenced  then  and  not 
another  shot  did  they  fire  that  afternoon.  Fourth:  From 
that  moment  those  guns  were  not  out  of  our  possession. 
We  could  not  drag  them  away,  but  we  could  and  did  hold 
them.  We  repelled  assaults  made  to  recapture  them. 
We  lay  for  all  that  long  afternoon  clinging  to  those  guns 
under  so  hot  a  fire  that  to  raise  head  or  hand  was  an  invita 
tion  to  a  rebel  bullet.  The  fact  is,  our  commanders  in  the 


96  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

rear,  and  the  men  sent  in  by  them  after  our  assault,  did  not 
know  we  had  taken  and  were  holding  those  guns,  but  sup 
posed  our  assault  had  failed,  and  certain  regiments  from 
the  Second  Division  that  were  sent  in  an  hour  or  more 
after  we  had  captured  them,  came  up  the  hill  and  went 
back  faster  than  they  came,  and  yet  claimed  the  capture, 
because  some  of  their  men  remained  with  us  and  helped  us 
hold  them  until  the  end  came." 

J.  L.  Ketcham:  "We  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  a  hill 
in  a  beautiful  grove  of  large  trees.  Word  was  whispered 
down  the  line,  'Fix  bayonets.'  The  order  was  obeyed 
quietly.  The  importance  of  the  command  seemed  to  be 
appreciated.  Some  of  the  boys  told  their  comrades  what 
word  to  send  home  'if  anything  happened.' 

"It  was  high  noon.  I  recollect  looking  at  my  watch  and 
saying  that  my  folks  at  home  were  just  returning  from 
church  where  they  had  doubtless  remembered  me  in  their 
prayers. 

"I  had  no  sense  of  danger  in  that  battle.  My  ambition 
was  to  be  the  first  on  the  enemy's  breastworks.  At  the 
next  battle  I  was  not  quite  so  ambitious. 

"Being  Sergeant  Major  I  could  'form  in  line'  anywhere, 
so  I  selected  the  extreme  left  of  the  regiment,  as  that  posi 
tion  seemed  nearest  the  supposed  line  of  the  enemy.  I  say 
'supposed'  because  we  soldiers  did  not  know  where  the 
enemy  was.  We  only  saw  a  hill  opposite  our  hill  and  an 
open  field  between  the  two  hills.  The  enemy's  hill  was 
covered  with  a  dense  thicket.  There  was  no  firing;  we 
could  only  surmise  what  was  proposed.  We  slipped  quiet 
ly  down  the  hill.  The  first  sound  that  broke  the  stillness 
was  the  ringing  voice  of  our  Colonel:  'Cheers  for  Indi 
ana/  Then  such  a  shout  and  a  rush! 


IN    THE    FACE    OF   THE    ENEMY  97 

"Being  on  the  extreme  left  and  a  good  runner,  I  kept  a 
little  in  advance;  remember  looking  along  the  line  and 
noticing  how  straight  it  kept,  notwithstanding  all  were  run 
ning  at  full  speed — no  better  line  on  dress  parade.  When 
we  reached  the  thicket  we  pushed  up  as  fast  as  the  obstruc 
tions  would  admit.  The  enemy's. artillery  opened  fire  while 
we  were  crossing  the  open  field,  and  the  sound  indicated 
that  the  right  of  the  regiment  faced  the  guns. 

"After  I  entered  the  thicket  I  noticed  nothing  until  I 
found  myself  on  the  enemy's  breastworks.  Evidently  these 
breastworks  protected  rebel  infantry  supporting  their  artil 
lery.  But  where  were  the  infantry?  I  stood  some 
moments  wondering  what  had  become  of  them.  I  could 
see  every  evidence  of  their  having  been  there;  their  fires 
were  burning  for  cooking;  their  haversacks  and  knapsacks 
were  there.  I  thought  I  could  hear  them  stampeding 
down  the  hill.  The  breastworks  were  in  a  semicircle  and 
obstructed  my  view.  Why  did  not  our  boys  come?  I 
shouted  'Come  on!'  Then  I  realized  that  I  was  alone  and 
that  my  comrades  had  been  drawn  by  the  sound  of  the 
cannon  to  the  right.  I  hastened  in  the  same  direction  to 
shout  my  discovery.  The  thicket  was  dense.  I  could 
only  see  a  few  feet  ahead  of  me.  Before  I  made  much 
headway  the  enemy's  infantry  rallied  and  opened  on  us  a 
deadly  fire.  At  that  moment  there  came  to  me  a  keen 
sense  of  disappointment.  I  can  never  forget  it.  We 
would  have  won  a  glorious  victory  that  day  had  not  the 
sound  of  the  cannon  drawn  the  regiment  toward  the 
enemy's  artillery  and  away  from  their  infantry  breastworks, 
which  they  briefly  abandoned,  and  which  we  ought  to  have 
occupied.  However,  we  obeyed  instructions.  We  cap 
tured  the  guns.  The  Second  Division  supporting  our  left 


98  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

should  have  started  when  we  did  and  swept  over  the  breast 
works." 

Wm.  Sharper  "In  charging  up  that  hill  our  Company 
C  happened  to  be  so  located  in  line  as  to  go  directly  into 
the  battery.  When  we  were  nearing  the  summit  the  ar 
tillery  made  their  last  shot,  and  the  guns  were  so  close  to  us 
as  to  blow  the  hats  off  our  heads,  but  without  halting  we 
were  instantly  inside  the  fort." 

J.  C.  Bennett:  "We  advanced  in  common  time  trailing 
arms  till  we  came  to  an  open  field,  and  then  commenced 
the  double  quick,  while  the  shot  and  shell  were  coming 
thick  and  fast.  When  within  a  few  feet  of  the  breastworks 
we  were  ordered  to  fall  down,  and  the  next  moment  the 
guns  fired  over  our  heads.  Then  we  were  up  and  in  the 
fort,  taking  four  twelve  pounder  brass  guns,  with  several 
prisoners.  Here  I  saw  a  rebel  hit  one  of  our  men  over  the 
head  with  a  swab-stick,  and  Sergeant  Thralls  hit  the  rebel 
over  the  head  with  the  butt  of  his  gun.  Later  I  saw  a 
color  bearer  of  one  of  the  Illinois  regiments  roll  up  his 
flag,  when  Wm.  Barnes  of  our  company  said,  'Let  me  have 
Taking  it  he  stuck  the  flagstaff  in  the  parapet  over  the 
cannon,  thus  having  it  displayed  without  danger  to  life,  for 
the  sharpshooters  were  picking  off  the  men  as  fast  as  they 
exposed  themselves.  Sergeant  Thralls,  thinking  I  suppose 
that  Barnes  was  meddling  with  what  was  not  his  business, 
shouted,  'Get  out  of  there  or  you  will  be  shot.'  " 

The  ^  Historian  of  Company  D:  "The  advance  of  our 
assaulting  column  poured  a  heavy  volley  of  musketry  into 
the  works,  which  struck  down  many  of  its  defenders,  yet 
those  remaining  continued  resistance,  some  trying  to  re 
load  the  guns,  while  others  struck  right  and  left  with 
swab-sticks  and  hand-spikes,  knocking  our  men  down  as 


IN   THE   FACE    OF   THE   ENEMY  99 

they  mounted  to  the  top  of  the  parapet,  and  only  yielding 
to  force.  During  this  heroic  defense  our  regimental  ban 
ner-bearer  was  knocked  backward  off  the  works  as  he  was 
attempting  to  plant  the  flag.  Alonzo  Greeson  was 
knocked  down  and  badly  stunned,  but  was  able  to  con 
tinue  in  the  fight,  and  was  mortally  wounded  later.  John 
Wilson  parried  a  blow  from  a  stalwart  rebel  who  stood 
just  within  the  parapet,  and,  reaching  across,  seized  him 
by  the  collar  and  literally  pulled  him  out  of  the  works. 
J.  F.  Snow  was  probably  the  first  to  enter,  and  swinging 
his  hat  pushed  to  the  middle  of  the  redoubt,  calling  out, 
'Come  on,  boys;  here  they  are!'  He  was  instantly 
joined  by  H.  C.  Eaton  and  U.  H.  Farr,  each  using  bayonet 
and  bullet  to  vanquish  their  antagonists.  Eaton  stopped 
to  reload  his  gun  while  Snow  and  Farr  rushed  out  through 
the  rear  of  the  redoubt  in  pursuit  of  five  of  the  enemy — 
all  they  saw  escape.  Just  before  the  flying  artillerists  en 
tered  the  breastworks  the  pursuers  fired,  but  owing  to  the 
shifting  smoke,  did  not  see  the  result.  E.  Shaw,  G.  Cos- 
tin  and  V.  Fletcher  entered  the  works  at  nearly  the  same 
moment  as  the  three  just  mentioned.  Fletcher  killed  a 
rebel  with  the  butt  of  his  gun.  Several  of  the  enemy  fell 
in  a  hand  to  hand  contest  among  the  guns  inside  the 
redoubt.  Later  in  the  day,  when  the  firing  from  both  sides 
over  the  captured  guns  was  so  hot  that  it  was  as  much  as 
one's  life  was  worth  to  expose  one's  head  to  view,  a 
rebel  who  had  dropped  down  and  had  been  feigning  death 
from  the  first  of  the  fight,  jumped  up  and  attempted  to 
escape,  but  was  shot  by  Sergeant  M.  Costin.  Men  of 
the  company  remained  with  and  in  defense  of  the  captured 
guns  till  they  were  pulled  out  of  the  works,  after  the  rebel 
army  retreated." 


100  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

Lieutenant  W.  R.  McCracken:  "After  the  Seventieth 
Indiana  and  the  brigade  of  which  it  was  a  part  had  taken 
the  battery  and  were  holding  it  under  a  terrible  fire  from 
the  enemy,  a  musketry  fire  was  poured  into  them  from 
the  rear.  Colonel  Harrison  ordered  me  to  see  what  the 
firing  meant.  I  found  that  it  came  from  a  body  of  our 
own  men  belonging  to  the  Second  Division,  who  were 
behind  some  timber.  I  told  them  to  stop  firing  or  the 
First  Brigade  would  have  to  retire  from  the  works  they 
had  taken  and  were  holding.  The  firing  was  stopped,  but 
by  the  time  I  was  back  to  my  command  it  began  again. 
Colonel  Harrison  then  directed  me  to  go  back  and  hunt 
up  General  Butterfield,  who  commanded  the  Third  Di 
vision,  and  tell  him  of  the  firing  from  the  rear,  and  that 
the  Brigade  would  have  to  fall  back  if  it  was  not  stopped. 
I  could  net  find  Butterfield,  but  found  General  Williams, 
commanding  the  First  Division,  and  inquired  for  General 
Butterfield  and  told  him  what  I  wanted.  General  Williams 
said  he  did  not  know  where  General  Butterfield  was,  but 
told  me  where  to  find  General  Hooker,  who,  on  being 
informed,  spurred  his  horse  and  rode  rapidly  to  the  place 
where  the  white  star  troops  lay,  and  the  firing  ceased." 

Captain  Meredith:  "It  seemed  scarcely  a  minute  from 
the  time  we  started  until  we  had  charged  up  the  enemy's 
hill  and  were  among  them.  To  whom  belongs  the  honor 
of  first  jumping  over  the  parapet  I  cannot  say,  but  this 
I  know,  that  Company  E  struck  that  battery  square  in 
the  face,  and  that  its  last  discharge  was  right  over  our 
heads,  almost  in  our  faces.  I  remember  that  after  the 
gallant  Confederates  had  done  their  best,  one  brave  fellow 
would  neither  rim  nor  surrender,  but  stood  there  laying 
about  him  with  his  ramrod.  I  had  fired  the  last  two 


IN   THE    FACE    OF   THE    ENEMY  IOI 

shots  of  my  revolver  at  him  and  had  begged  him  to  sur 
render,  but  his  only  reply  was  a  swinging  sweep  of  his  ram 
rod,  which  was  dodged.  Then  a  hand  reached  over  my 
shoulder,  somebody  said,  'Captain,  let  me  at  him,'  a  pistol 
was  fired  close  beside  me,  and  turning  I  saw  Colonel  Mer 
rill,  smoking  revolver  in  hand.  In  a  few  minutes  the  gun 
ners  were  overcome,  and  the  battery  and  the  position  were 
ours. 

"In  the  charge  up  the  hill  I  had  lost  my  cap.  While  we 
were  cheering  over  the  capture  of  the  guns,  Lieutenant 
Colestock  jumped  up  on  one  of  them  and  waved  his  cap 
and  cheered.  Then  noticing  I  was  bareheaded,  he  leaped 
down,  picked  up  a  cap  from  the  ground,  placed  it  on  my 
head  and  began  cheering  again.  A  moment  later  he  re 
ceived  the  shot  which  in  a  few  days  terminated  his  life. 

"And  now  while  wounded  men  are  being  cared  for, 
while  prisoners  are  being  taken  to  the  rear,  while  there  is 
great  jubilation  and  enthusiasm  among  the  victors,  occurs 
one  of  those  awful  inexplicable  errors,  one  of  those  fearful 
mistakes,  one  of  those  real  horrors  of  war,  so  calculated 
to  unnerve  the  bravest  and  to  demoralize,  for  the  time 
being,  the  best  drilled  and  disciplined  troops.  A  second 
Federal  line  of  battle,  advancing  to  the  support  of  the  first, 
comes  crashing  through  the  brush  in  the  rear.  At  the 
same  instant  the  Confederates  having  been  rallied  and 
re-formed  in  another  line  of  works,  pour  a  deadly  volley 
into  the  ranks  of  the  brave  men  who  are  cheering  over  the 
guns  they  have  captured.  The  second  line  of  Federals, 
partially  encountering  the  rebel  fire,  deliver  a  volley  and 
the  soldiers  of  the  first  line,  who  had  led  the  charge,  who 
had  driven  the  enemy  and  captured  the  guns,  are  literally 
caught  between  two  fires.  The  scene — the  terror  of  the 


102  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

moment  is  beyond  description.  The  cry  went  up:  'Our 
own  men  are  firing  into  us.'  When  the  panic  was  at  its 
greatest,  one  or  two  officers  who  were  in  the  captured 
redoubt  shouted  the  command,  'Lie  down!'  and  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men  crouched  behind  the  earthworks 
containing  the  guns,  and  began  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy.  While  we  were  lying  there  Captain  H.  M.  Scott 
came  to  me  and  we  looked  over  the  situation  together. 
We  agreed  it  was  best  to  stay  there  and  hold  the  guns  in 
case  the  enemy  tried  to  retake  them  by  sortie.  According 
ly  I  took  command  of  the  force  to  the  right  of  the  lunette. 

"About  nine  o'clock  we  could  see  by  the  light  of  burn 
ing  brush  the  Confederates  climbing  over  the  breastworks 
and  forming  for  an  attack.  Word  was  passed  along  to 
reserve  fire  for  the  command.  They  advanced  cautiously 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  guns,  when  the  command,  'Fire!' 
was  given,  every  rifle  rang  out,  and  at  the  same  time  the 
advance  guard  gave  a  yell.  That  yell  was  taken  up  by  our 
forces  in  the  rear  and  the  Confederates  broke  and  ran,  evi 
dently  thinking  Hooker's  whole  Corps  was  'up  and  at 
'em.'  And  that  was  the  end  of  the  battle  of  Resaca." 

Captain  Carson:  "After  the  capture  of  the  battery  Com 
pany  G  occupied  a  position  to  the  left  and  a  little  to  the 
rear  of  lunette,  where  we  guarded  the  guns  that  afternoon 
and  kept  the  rebels  behind  their  works  by  constant  firing. 
Other  regiments  and  brigades  followed  us  in  quick  suc 
cession,  but  none  went  beyond  the  established  lines  we 
were  holding  before  their  arrival.  I  well  remember  some 
of  the  regiments  opened  fire  in  our  rear,  exposing  us  for 
some  time  to  a  double  danger.  Charge  after  charge  was 
made  during  the  evening,  but  no  one  went  farther  than 
did  the  assaulting  column.  Many  men  from  other  regi- 


IN    THE    FACE    OF   THE    ENEMY  103 

ments,  however,  took  positions  with  us  during  the  even 
ing  and  assisted  in  guarding  and  holding  the  captured 
guns. 

"Late  in  the  afternoon,  as  there  seemed  to  be  enough 
troops  to  hold  the  line,  Colonel  Harrison  quietly  passed 
the  word  for  those  who  could  to  retire  to  the  rear,  for  the 
purpose  of  drawing  rations,  since  we  had  been  marching 
and  fighting  all  day  without  anything  to  eat.  As  the  com 
mand  did  not  reach  my  company,  Colonel  Harrison  sent 
for  me  about  sunset  and  said  that  the  officers  of  the  Twen 
tieth  Corps  had  been  consulting  together  on  a  plan  to 
remove  the  guns  from  the  lunette  after  dark.  He  stated 
that  he  believed  I  understood  the  situation  as  well  as  any 
one,  so  he  would  detail  my  company  to  report  to  Colonel 
John  Coburn  soon  after  dark,  who  would  have  command 
of  two  hundred  men  equipped  for  cutting  through  the 
lunette  and  for  pulling  the  guns  down  the  hill  into  our 
lines.  He  said  also:  'I  claim  for  the  regiment  the  honor 
of  having  captured  those  cannon,  for  the  rule  is  that  the 
column  first  entering  the  works  and  seizing  and  holding 
a  position  beyond  which  no  one  passed  is  entitled  to  the 
credit.  I  reported,  as  ordered,  with  fifty-five  men,  assisted 
to  repulse  the  enemy  three  different  times  while  we  were 
at  work,  and  the  removal  of  the  guns  was  successfully  ac 
complished  before  midnight." 

Captain  B.  L.  Ridley,  C.  S.  A.,  of  General  Stewart's 
staff,  quite  naturally  does  not  appreciate  General  Sherman, 
yet  in  the  Confederate  Veteran  of  January,  1897,  giving 
his  experience  in  this  battle,  says:  "There  was  one  place, 
though,  where  Sherman,  had  he  been  the  able  general 
many  supposed,  would  have  taken  some  of  Johnston's 
glory  from  him.  The  only  time  he  ever  got  Johnston  ap- 


104  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

parently  in  'a  nine  hole'  was  at  Resaca,  on  May  fifteenth, 
1864." 

Carter  L.  Stevenson,  Major  General:     "Corput's  bat 
tery  was  placed  in  position  at  the  only  available  point.     It 
had  hardly  gotten  into  position  when  the  enemy  hotly  en 
gaged  my  skirmishers,  driving  them  in  and  pushing  on  to 
the  assault  with  great  impetuosity.     So  quickly  was  all 
this  done  that  it  was  impossible  to  remove  the  artillery." 
J.  B.  Hood,  Lieutenant  General:     "During  the  attack 
on  General  Stevenson  a  four-gun  battery  was  in  position 
thirty  paces  in  front  of  his  line,  the  gunners  being  driven 
from  it,  and  the  battery  left  in  dispute.     The  army  with 
drew  that  night,  and  the  guns  without  caissons  or  limber 
boxes  were  abandoned  to  the  enemy,  the  loss  of  life  it 
would  have  cost  to  withdraw  them  being  considered  worth 
more  than  the  guns." 

In  his  report  on  giving  up  command  at  Atlanta,  J.  E. 
Johnston,  General:  "We  lost  no  material  in  the  retreat 
except  the  four  field  pieces  mentioned  in  the  accompany 
ing  report  of  General  Hood." 

James  H.  Turner,  Indiana  Military  Agent:  "I  met  Gen 
eral  Butterfield  the  next  morning  on  the  battlefield,  before 
the  dead  were  collected  for  burial.  He  told  me  to  say  to 
Governor  Morton  and  the  people  of  Indiana,  That  the 
Seventieth  Regiment  has  done  its  whole  duty.  Not  a  man 
from  the  Colonel  down  flinched,  but  marched  up  to  the 
breastworks  and  over.  One  gunner  was  shot  in  applying 
the  match/  " 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  said  to  have 
been  picked  up  the  day  after  the  battle,  which,  of  course, 
never  reached  its  intended  destination:  "The  Yankees 
charged  my  battery  and  captured  two  sections.  It  was  a 


IN    THE    FACE    OF   THE    ENEMY  105 

daring  exploit.  They  threw  themselves  into  the  fort,  as 
unconscious  of  danger  as  so  many  ducks  into  a  pond.  It 
was  Hooker's  command  we  had  to  fight  here,  or  else  the 
battery  would  never  have  been  taken.  They  all  wore  a 
star.  Your  husband  unto  death, 

"M.  V.  CORPUT." 

Z.  S.  Ragan,  Major  Seventieth  Indiana:  "A  detail  of 
three  hundred  men  was  made  from  the  First  Brigade  and 
placed  under  my  command,  with  orders  to  collect  the 
arms,  accoutrements,  ammunition,  artillery,  etc.,  and  turn 
them  over  to  the  Ordnance  officer  at  Resaca.  Being  limited 
as  to  time  it  was  impossible  to  make  a  thorough  search, 
yet  I  turned  over  and  took  a  receipt  for  four  twelve-pound 
pieces  of  brass  artillery,  nine  hundred  small  arms  and  fifty 
thousand  rounds  of  ammunition.  The  wagons  arriving  in 
advance  of  me,  had  been  unloaded  before  my  arrival,  but 
were  estimated  to  contain  a  similar  number  of  small  arms 
and  sixty  thousand  rounds  of  ammunition.  I  could  not 
obtain  a  receipt  for  these,  as  I  was  unable  to  count  them." 

The  sixteenth  of  May  was  a  sad  day  for  our  regiment. 
Twenty-six  of  our  number  had  sacrificed  their  lives,  and 
one  hundred  and  thirty  had  been  seriously  wounded, 
many  mortally,  in  this  Sabbath  day's  "baptism  of  fire."  It 
was  a  strange  grave  by  which  the  surviving  members  stood. 
It  was  six  feet  long  and  sixty  wide.  Into  this,  side  by  side, 
with  blankets  for  winding  sheets,  were  lowered  the  forms 
of  those  who  had  just  died  for  their  country.  Evergreen 
branches  were  tenderly  dropped  on  the  sleeping  patriots, 
to  break  the  fall  of  the  clods,  and  as  a  token  that  their 
sacrifice  would  ever  be  green  in  the  memory  of  their  com 
rades.  With  heads  uncovered  the  mourners  gathered 


106  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

about  the  grave.  The  Captains  of  the  companies  cast  in 
the  first  earth,  and  the  Chaplain  prayed  that  the  sad  tidings 
might  not  crush  the  hearts  of  the  mothers,  the  widows  and 
the  orphans.  The  sinking  sun  closed  the  mournful  day, 
and  the  dead  were  left  to  sleep  in  their  glory,  while  to  the 
living  remained  the  stern  duty  of  pursuing  through  the 
night  the  retreating  battalions  of  the  enemy. 

General  Orders  No.  4. 

Headquarters  Third  Division  Twentieth  Corps. 

Resaca,  May  i6th,  1864. 

The  Major-General  commanding  feels  it  a  duty  as  well  as 
a  pleasure  to  congratulate  the  division  upon  its  achievements 
yesterday.  The  gallant  assault  and  charge  of  the  First  Bri 
gade,  capturing  four  guns  in  the  enemy's  fort;  the  support  of 
this  assault  by  a  portion  of  the  Second  Brigade,  the  splendid 
advance  of  the  Third  Brigade  on  the  left,  with  the  glorious 
repulse  it  gave  twice  its  force,  proves  the  division  worthy  a 
high  name  and  fame.  Let  every  one  endeavor  by  attention  to 
duty,  obedience  to  orders,  devotion  and  courage  to  make  our 
record  in  future,  as  in  the  past,  such  that  the  army  and  the 
country  will  ever  be  proud  of  us. 

By  command  of  Major-General  Butterfield. 

JOHN  SPEED, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry. 

In  the  field  near  Cassville,  Ga.,  May  20,  1864. 
General — In  obedience  to  your  orders,  I  have  the  honor  to 
submit  the  following  report  of  the  part  taken  by  my  regiment 
in  the  operations  of  our  forces  from  the  I3th  to  the  igth  in 
clusive: 

On  the  1 3th  I  moved  about  four  miles  from  Snake  Creek 
Gap,  having  the  advance  of  the  brigade,  and  under  orders 
from  you  formed  line  of  battle  on  the  Resaca  road  and  moved 


IN    THE    FACE    OF   THE    ENEMY  107 

up  to  the  crest  of  the  ridge,  connecting  on  the  right  with 
the  forces  under  the  command  of  General  McPherson,  and 
having  on  my  left  one  regiment  of  our  brigade  (One  Hundred 
and  Second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry),  which,  with  my 
regiment,  constituted  our  front  line,  and  was  placed  by  you 
under  my  command.  Skirmishers  were  thrown  out  to  cover 
the  front  of  the  line,  and  every  preparation  made  for  a  proper 
advance  when  the  order  should  be  received.  Almost  imme 
diately  after  we  had  taken  position,  the  line  on  our  right 
(General  McPherson)  was  advanced  and  soon  became  en 
gaged  with  the  enemy,  but  suffered  no  loss.  About  4  P.  M., 
by  your  orders,  our  line  was  advanced,  changing  direction 
gradually  to  the  left,  and,  having  emerged  from  the  timber, 
was  massed  on  the  left  of  General  Harrow's  line,  who  was 
still  skirmishing  with  the  enemy.  Shortly  after  dark  we 
again  changed  position,  relieving  the  regular  brigades  of 
the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps.  My  regiment  was  here  located 
on  the  right  of  our  brigade  line  and  along  the  crest  of  a  hill, 
with  a  meadow  of  about  six  hundred  yards  in  width  in  front 
and  extending  from  the  base  of  the  hill  occupied  by  me  to  a 
hill  opposite,  which  was  strongly  fortified  and  occupied  in 
force  by  the  enemy.  As  soon  as  day  dawned  on  the  I4th 
inst.,  a  sharp  fire  was  opened  by  the  rebel  sharpshooters  on 
my  skirmishers,  which  was  kept  up  quite  briskly  during  the 
day,  inflicting  some  loss  on  my  regiment.  Early  in  the  day 
of  Saturday,  the  I4th  inst.,  instructions  were  received  from 
your  headquarters  that  we  would  be  ordered  to  assault  the 
works  in  our  front  at  some  time  during  the  day,  and  orders 
were  also  given  by  you  to  strengthen  the  line.  In  compliance 
with  the  order,  I  deployed  Company  D  of  my  regiment,  Cap 
tain  Tansey,  relieving  the  skirmishers  under  Captain  Carson, 
who  had  been  placed  upon  the  line  the  preceding  night,  and 
a  few  hours  subsequently  communicated  to  Captain  Tansey 
an  order  received  from  your  headquarters  to  advance  his 
skirmishers,  which  was  promptly,  though  cautiously  done, 
the  men  availing  themselves  of  such  meager  shelter  as  the 
open  field  afforded.  About  I  P.  M.,  and  while  our  line  was 


108  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

resting  behind  the  crest  of  the  hill  to  avoid  a  troublesome 
fire  which  the  rebel  sharpshooters  continued  to  pour  in  upon 
the  crest,  the  "Attention"  was  sounded  in  the  regiment  on  my 
left  and  was  repeated  in  my  regiment.  Not  having  received 
any  intimation  of  what  movement  was  intended,  I  called  to 
Brigadier-General  Ward,  who  at  the  moment  approached  my 
left,  to  know  what  the  orders  were.  His  reply  was  "The  or 
ders  are  to  advance."  Knowing  that  an  assault  on  the  works 
in  our  front  had  been  in  contemplation  earlier  in  the  day,  and 
supposing  that  the  order  involved  such  an  assault,  or  at  least 
that  it  involved  an  advance  until  a  halt  was  ordered  by  the 
brigade  commander,  I  put  my  regiment  in  march  when  the 
regiment  on  my  left  moved  and  passed  over  the  crest  of  the 
hill,  down  its  slope  to  a  fence  at  its  base,  where  I  had  pre 
viously  instructed  my  officers  to  halt  for  a  moment  to  reform 
their  line,  as  they  would  necessarily  be  much  broken  in  pass 
ing  down  the  hill,  which  was  very  steep  in  some  places.  Un 
der  the  cover  of  the  fence  I  halted,  and  passed  an  inquiry  to 
my  Major,  who  was  on  the  left,  to  know  whether  the  One 
Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  was  still  advancing  with  me. 
His  answer  was  that  this  regiment  had  halted  on  the  crest  of 
the  hill.  After  some  time  I  was  given  to  understand  by  one  of 
the  brigade  staff,  calling  to  me  from  the  summit  of  the  hill, 
that  it  was  not  intended  that  I  should  pass  the  hill,  but  that  I 
should  have  halted  on  the  crest,  which  had  not  been  previously 
explained  to  me.  By  retiring  the  men  singly  or  in  small 
squads,  I  was  able  without  further  casualties  to  resume  our 
former  line  behind  the  crest  of  the  hill.  My  losses  during 
the  day  were  as  follows :  On  the  skirmish  line,  killed,  enlisted 
men,  i;  wounded,  enlisted  men,  3;  in  advancing  over  the  crest 
of  the  hill  to  our  supposed  assault,  killed,  enlisted  men,  2; 
wounded,  enlisted  men,  10;  wounded,  Lieutenant  Martin, 
Company  I,  slightly  in  the  leg.  During  the  night  of  Satur 
day,  the  I4th  inst.,  under  orders,  I  constructed,  with  the  as 
sistance  of  Lieutenant  Gilchrist  and  brigade  pioneers,  a  line 
of  rifle  pits  along  the  front  of  my  line,  and  had  moved  in  at 
daylight  four  companies  to  occupy  them  as  sharpshooters  and 


IN    THE    FACE    OF    THE    ENEMY  109 

watch  the  enemy,  when  we  were  suddenly  relieved  by  another 
brigade  and  marched  around  to  a  new  position  on  the  left  of 
the  Fourteenth  A.  C.  In  our  new  position  we  were  informed 
that  our  brigade,  supported  by  the  other  brigades  of  our  di 
vision,  was  expected  to  assault  the  enemy's  rifle  pits,  and 
without  delay  our  brigade  was  formed  in  column  of  battalions 
in  order  of  rank.  My  regiment  leading,  passed  from  the  crest 
of  an  entrenched  ridge,  occupied  by  our  forces,  across  an 
open  field  in  the  valley  and  up  a  steep  and  thickly  wooded 
hill  to  the  assault  of  the  enemy's  breastworks,  whose  strength, 
and  even  exact  location,  was  only  revealed  by  the  line  of  fire 
which,  with  fearful  destructiveness,  was  belched  upon  our  ad 
vancing  column.  I  moved  my  men  at  double  quick,  and,  with 
loud  cheers,  across  the  open  space  in  the  valley  in  order 
sooner  to  escape  the  enfilading  fire  from  the  enemy's  rifle  pits 
on  our  right,  and  to  gain  the  cover  of  the  woods,  with  which 
the  side  of  the  hill  against  which  our  assault  was  directed,  was 
thickly  covered.  The  men  moved  on  with  perfect  steadiness, 
and  without  any  sign  of  faltering  up  the  hillside  and  to  the 
very  muzzle  of  the  enemy's  artillery,  which  continued  to  belch 
their  deadly  charges  of  grape  and  canister  until  the  gunners 
were  struck  down  at  their  guns.  Having  gained  the  outer  face 
of  the  embrasures,  in  which  the  enemy  had  four  12-pounder 
Napoleon  guns,  my  line  halted  for  a  moment  to  take  breath. 
Seeing  that  the  infantry  supports  had  deserted  the  artillery 
I  cheered  the  men  forward,  and,  with  a  wild  yell,  they  entered 
the  embrasures,  striking  down  and  bayoneting  the  gunners, 
many  of  whom  defiantly  stood  by  their  guns  till  struck  down. 
Within  this  outer  fortification,  in  which  the  artillery  was 
placed,  there  was  a  strong  line  of  breastworks  which  was  con 
cealed  from  our  view  by  a  thick  pine  undergrowth,  save  at 
one  point,  which  had  been  used  as  a  gateway.  This  line  was 
held  by  a  rebel  division  of  veteran  troops,  said  to  be  of  Hood's 
command.  When  we  first  entered  the  embrasures  of  the  outer 
works,  the  enemy  fled  in  considerable  confusion  from  the 
inner  one,  and  had  there  been  a  supporting  line  brought  up  in 
good  order  at  this  junction,  the  second  line  might  easily  have 


110  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

been  carried  and  held.  My  line  having  borne  the  brunt  of 
the  assault,  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  it  could  be  reformed 
for  the  second  assault  in  time.  The  enemy  in  a  moment  ral 
lied  in  rear  of  their  second  line,  and  poured  in  a  most  destruc 
tive  fire  upon  us,  which  compelled  us  to  retire  outside  of  the 
first  line  to  obtain  the  cover  of  the  works.  At  this  point 
some  confusion  was  created  among  our  forces  in  and  about 
the  enemy's  works  (several  of  our  battalions  in  rear  of  me 
having  come  up)  by  a  cry  that  the  enemy  was  flanking  us. 
This  caused  many  to  retire  down  the  hill,  and  had  for  a  time 
the  appearance  of  a  general  retreat.  I  strove  in  vain  to  rally 
my  men  under  the  enemy's  fire  on  the  hillside,  and  finally 
followed  them  to  a  partially  sheltered  place  behind  a  ridge 
on  our  left,  where  I  was  engaged  in  separating  my  men  from 
those  of  other  regiments  and  reforming  them  preparatory  to 
leading  them  again  to  the  support  of  those  who  still  held  the 
guns  we  had  captured,  when  I  was  informed  that  General 
Ward  was  wounded,  and  was  ordered  to  assume  command  of 
the  brigade  and  reform  it,  which  duty  I  discharged,  and  then 
urgently  asked  General  Butterfield  for  permission  to  take  it 
again  to  the  works  we  had  carried  and  still  held,  and  bring  off 
the  guns  we  had  captured.  This  was  refused,  and  by  his 
order  the  brigade  was  placed  in  a  new  position  on  a  hill  to 
the  left  of  the  point  at  which  we  had  assaulted,  to  assist  in 
repelling  an  attack  made  by  the  enemy.  To  sum  up  the  ac 
count  of  the  day's  fight,  I  will  add  that  detachments  from  my 
regiment  and,  I  believe,  from  each  of  the  other  regiments  of 
the  brigade,  held  the  rebels  from  re-entering  and  taking  the 
guns  we  had  captured,  until  they  were  brought  off  at  night 
by  a  detail  from  the  First  and  Second  Brigades.  I  would  re 
spectfully  call  your  attention  to  the  following  points:  First, 
my  regiment  entered  the  enemy's  works  in  advance  of  all 
others,  and  my  colors,  though  not  planted,  were  the  first  to 
enter  the  fort;  second,  the  enemy's  lines  were  not  penetrated 
at  any  other  point  than  where  we  entered,  although,  assaulted 
by  other  troops  on  the  left;  third,  my  regiment,  being  in  ad 
vance,  and  having  to  bear  the  brunt  of  the  assault,  accom- 


IN    THE    FACE    OF    THE    ENEMY  III 

plished  all  that  could  have  been  required  of  them  in  entering 
the  works  and  driving  the  enemy  out.  The  work  of  carrying 
the  second  line  of  defense  belonged  to  the  support  which  fol 
lowed  me.  The  day  following  the  battle  my  regiment,  to 
gether  with  our  whole  brigade,  remained  on  the  battlefield, 
burying  our  own  and  the  rebel  dead,  and  collecting  abandoned 
arms  and  other  property.  Leaving  the  battleground  about  5 
P.  M.  of  the  1 6th,  we  rejoined  the  division  at  -  -  Mill.  In 
the  engagement  with  the  enemy  near  Cassville  on  the  iQth 
inst.,  my  regiment  was  under  quite  a  heavy  fire  of  shell,  but 
suffered  no  loss.  I  append  a  list  of  killed  and  wounded  in 
my  regiment,  which  shows  twenty-nine  men  killed,  four  offi 
cers  and  one  hundred  and  forty  men  wounded.  Total,  one 
hundred  and  seventy-three. 

I  desire,  in  conclusion,  to  acknowledge  the  gallantry  of  my 
officers  and  men.  Though  never  before  under  fire,  they  have 
the  testimony  of  the  veteran  foe  they  overcame  that  they  bore 
themselves  with  conspicuous  courage.  I  could  not,  of  course, 
observe  every  individual  act  of  gallantry  on  the  part  of  my 
company  officers,  but  must  commend  to  your  notice  the  fol 
lowing  as  especially  worthy  of  mention  for  their  determined 
and  successful  efforts  to  hold  the  captured  guns:  Captain 
Wm.  M.  Meredith,  Captain  H.  M.  Scott,  Lieutenant  M.  L. 
Orr,  Captain  P.  S.  Carson,  Captain  H.  M.  Endsley,  Lieutenant 
Wm.  C.  Mitchell,  Lieutenant  E.  B.  Colestock.  Captain  Tan- 
sey,  who  was  severely  wounded,  also  bore  himself  most  gal 
lantly.  Lieutenant  C.  H.  Cox,  Acting  Adjutant,  was  con 
spicuous  for  his  coolness  and  his  efforts  to  rally  the  men. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Merrill  and  Major  Regan  did  their  whole 
duty,  and  have  need  of  no  higher  praise  from  me.  Dr.  Jen 
kins  A.  Fitzgerald,  assistant  surgeon  during  all  our  series  of 
operations,  was  always  found  with  his  regiment,  dressing  the 
wounds  of  those  who  had  fallen  under  the  heaviest  fire  of  the 
enemy,  manifesting  a  thorough  disregard  of  his  own  safety 
in  his  humane  desire  to  give  the  wounded  the  promptest  sur 
gical  relief.  Rev.  A.  C.  Allen,  chaplain,  deserves  mention  for 


112  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

his  untiring  labors  night  and  day  to  relieve  the  wants  and 
suffering  of  our  wounded. 

I   am,   General,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  obedient 
servant, 

BENJ.  HARRISON, 
Col.  Seventieth  Indiana  Vol.  Inf. 
Brigadier-General  W.  T.  Ward. 

Commanding  First  Brigade  Third  Division  Twentieth 
A.  C. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING 

There  was  much  satisfaction  when  men  were  detailed 
from  the  Seventieth  Indiana  to  convey  and  deliver  the 
captured  cannon  to  the  Ordnance  officer,  but  the  night 
march  of  the  sixteenth  and  of  the  following  day  was  made 
amid  profound  silence,  for  we  were  all  thinking  of  our 
dead. 

On  the  seventeenth  the  regiment  was  where  it  could 
again  hear  the  whizzing  of  bullets,  and  on  the  nineteenth 
approached  Cassville.  By  some  mistake  the  Brigade  took 
the  wrong  road,  and  the  troops,  as  J.  M.  Wills  expressed  it, 
"Were  pressed  up  so  close  to  the  enemy  that  we  were 
almost  surrounded  by  Wheeler's  cavalry.  Orders  came  for 
us  to  march  to  the  rear  at  trail  arms  and  for  no  one  to 
speak  above  a  whisper." 

U.  H.  Farr  describes  the  action  of  the  Brigade  after  it 
had  moved  to  the  right  and  back  a  mile  or  more  and  saw 
demonstrations  that  indicated  not  only  an  attack  by  the 
cavalry  but  also  by  a  heavy  mass  of  infantry:  "The  word 
went  like  a  flash  along  the  line  to  throw  up  a  barricade. 
Every  fence  rail,  log,  chunk  and  movable  thing  within 
reach  was  instantly  appropriated  to  that  purpose,  and  then 
the  men  set  to  work  digging  dirt  with  the  bayonet,  and 
scooping  it  up  with  frying  pans,  hands,  or  anything  that 
could  be  put  to  that  use,  while  a  strong  force  was  sent  out 
in  front  to  level  all  the  fencing,  that  the  advancing  enemy 
might  have  no  protection  in  the  coming  contest. 

"Meanwhile    the    dense    columns    of    rebel    gray,    un- 

113 


114  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

checked  by  the  torrent  of  shells  from  our  two  batteries, 
had  reached  the  valley  and  formed  in  line,  massed  so  as  to 
crush  all  opposition.  They  were  advancing  slowly  in  the 
center,  but  strong  bodies  of  men  were  being  pushed  out 
more  rapidly  from  either  flank,  thus  making  it  plain  that 
they  intended  to  envelop  us.  All  of  our  men  but  the 
skirmishers  were  now  called  in,  every  man  was  given 
twenty  rounds  of  cartridges  extra,  making  sixty  rounds 
each,  and  ordered  to  get  ready  for  action.  Cartridge  and 
cap-boxes  were  unclasped  and  slipped  to  the  front  of  the 
body  so  as  to  be  convenient;  the  commands  were  given 
and  passed  along  the  lines  to  aim  accurately  and  reserve  the 
fire  till  the  enemy  were  close  at  hand. 

"At  this  moment  when  within  musket-shot  of  our  posi 
tion,  the  approaching  mass  of  rebel  troops  seemed  to  be 
affected  as  if  by  a  convulsion.  Someone  cried  out,  'Look 
to  the  right!'  and  there  column  after  column  came  march 
ing  into  view,  facing  in  the  same  direction  we  were,  their 
bright  guns  shining  in  the  sun,  the  Stars  and  Stripes  float 
ing  above  them.  The  rebel  hosts  sullenly  but  rapidly  re 
tired  to  the  wooded  hill  from  whence  they  came,  and  after 
some  fighting  left  Cassville  in  our  hands." 

Ex-President  Harrison,  in  a  recent  address,  referred  to 
this  same  wonderful  scene:  "The  army  of  Sherman  had 
been  fighting  in  the  chaparral,  in  the  brush,  so  that  it 
was  a  rare  sight  for  a  man  on  the  right  of  a  regiment  to 
see  the  flag,  and  quite  out  of  our  experience  to  see  the 
regiment  next  to  us.  We  had  the  faith  that  Sherman  had 
more  men  than  just  ourselves.  We  could  occasionally 
hear  the  rattle  of  guns  away  off  to  the  right  or  to  the  left, 
but  one  day  when  the  army  was  advancing  on  Cassville  we 
suddenly  came  out  into  one  of  the  great  meadows  or  savan- 


MARCHING   AND   FIGHTING  115 

nahs  that  stretch  for  miles  along  some  of  the  smaller 
streams,  and  the  whole  great  army,  corps  on  corps,  was 
revealed  to  us,  banner  after  banner  as  it  was  kissed 
by  the  sunshine  of  the  open  field.  From  the  center,  far 
to  the  right  and  left,  the  distinctive  corps,  division,  brigade 
and  regimental  colors  appeared,  and  associated  with  each 
of  these  was  the  one  flag  that  made  the  army  one.  A 
mighty,  spontaneous  cheer  burst  from  the  whole  line,  and 
every  soldier  tightened  his  grip  upon  his  rifle  and  quick 
ened  his  step.  There  was  an  inspiration  in  it.  Our  faith 
had  been  strengthened  by  the  vision  of  those  who  fought 
with  us  for  the  flag." 

Visions  of  vast  armies  cannot  extinguish  one's  interest  in 
the  individual  who  helps  to  make  up  the  great  host,  so 
Farr  continues:  "While  we  were  lying  in  the  valley  near 
Cassville,  I  took  a  walk  in  the  quiet  woods  away  from 
the  camps;  and  when  out  quite  a  distance  saw  someone 
sitting  on  a  log  with  his  back  to  me.  He  had  his  head 
down  as  if  in  a  deep  study,  one  elbow  resting  on  his  knee, 
and  his  face  in  his  hand.  I  sauntered  on  in  that  direction, 
and  as  I  came  nearer  I  thought  I  could  recognize  some 
thing  in  the  form  that  was  familiar.  Without  thinking  of 
what  I  was  doing  it  for,  I  began  to  step  lightly,  and  so 
drew  quite  near.  Fnding  it  was  an  old  friend,  I  reached 
a  position  at  his  back,  where  I  could  see  what  it 
was  he  was  so  attentively  regarding.  It  was  the  picture  of 
a  fair  young  woman.  I  stood  for  quite  a  while  looking  at 
the  spectacle.  At  last  becoming  ashamed  of  thus  tres 
passing  on  what  was  really  a  honeymoon  scene,  though  one 
of  the  parties  was  hundreds  of  miles  distant  in  her  Indiana 
home,  away  from  the  noise  and  tumult  of  war  and  battle, 
I  slapped  the  absorbed  figure  on  the  shoulder,  at  the  same 


Il6  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

time  speaking  to  him.  He  sprang  to  his  feet.  In  re 
sponse  to  the  question,  'What  are  you  doing?'  he  said,  'I 
was  looking  at  a  picture  of  my  wife,  the  prettiest  woman 
God  ever  made.' ' 

At  Cassville  a  letter  was  written  by  an  officer  to  his 
sister,  which,  taken  in  connection  with  the  above  scene, 
shows  that  war  reveals  sharp  contrasts.  *  *  *  "One 
of  the  most  faithful  men  in  the  regiment  was  mortally 
wounded  at  Resaca,  and  died  two  days  after  the  battle. 
You  remember  his  wife  and  little  child.  My  God,  what 
a  terrible  thing  war  is!  She  must  be  very  poor.  Take  ten 
or  twenty  dollars  for  me,  and  use  it  in  some  way  for  the 
benefit  of  the  widow  and  the  child." 

Shortly  after  came  back  an  answer  to  this  letter : 

"Your  money  is  unspent,  and  you  might  have  saved  your 
sympathy.  Mrs.  -  -  heard  the  news  of  her  husband's 
death  on  Friday,  mourned  his  loss  on  Saturday,  and  con 
soled  herself  by  marrying  a  stay-at-home  patriot  on  Sun 
day/' 

It  takes  Byron  and  Scott  combined  to  do  justice  to 
the  situation.  "What  a  strange  thing  is  man!  and  what 
a  stranger  is  woman!" 

/       "Woman's  faith  and  woman's  trust, 
Write  the  characters  in  dust." 

J.  M.  Wills:  "After  the  enemy  gave  way  at  Cassville, 
we  went  into  camp  until  the  twenty-third,  when  we  moved 
out  and  came  up  with  the  enemy,  engaged  him  in  fight 
for  half  a  day,  and  lost  several  good  men." 

J.  L.  Ketcham:  "I  was  asleep  in  a  fence  corner  the 
other  day,  when  a  shell  burst  near  me.  Oh,  but  they  are 
wicked  sounding  things.  They  have  an  awful  screeching, 
whining  tone  and  seem  to  say,  'You  I'm  after,  nobody  else;' 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  1 1/ 

or,  as  the  darky  said,  'Wha's  dat  nigga?  Wha's  dat  nigga? 
I  want  dat  nigga!' ' 

U.  H.  Farr:  "On  the  afternoon  of  the  twenty-fifth  of 
May  it  was  manifest  that  a  fight  was  imminent.  Troops 
were  hurrying  forward,  couriers  dashing  hither  and  thither, 
and  there  was  a  constant  rattle  of  musketry  in  front,  with 
an  occasional  stray  ball  coming  back  to  where  we  were 
slowly  marching  in  column  to  the  front  on  the  sides  of 
the  main  road,  in  order  that  ordnance  wagons  and  ambu 
lances  could  have  free  passage.  About  three  P.  M.  we 
were  hurried  forward  more  rapidly,  each  of  the  regiments 
of  our  brigade  marching  in  column  side  by  side  at  bat 
talion  front  distance  in  order  to  be  ready  for  instant  use  as 
support  for  Coburn's  brigade  in  our  front.  The  rebel 
line  of  battle  could  not  be  far  away  from  the  nearness 
of  the  artillery  fire  of  the  enemy,  the  supporting  line  faring 
about  the  same  as  the  front  line.  Our  line  was  thus 
pushed  up  close  to  the  enemy,  which  resulted  in  consid 
erable  fighting,  lasting  till  dark,  the  battle  being  known  as 
Dallas  Woods  or  Pumpkin  Vine  creek. 

"I  had  no  gun  this  day,  mine  having  been  ruined  by  a 
rebel  bullet,  but  I  determined  to  keep  close  up  and  pick 
one  up  at  the  first  opportunity.  Henry  C.  Eaton  was  sick 
and  his  gun  was  turned  over  to  some  man  of  the  company 
who  had  none,  and  Eaton  was  marching  with  me  on  the 
left  of  our  company.  As  the  line  of  battle  was  pushed 
closer  and  closer  to  the  enemy,  and  the  firing  became 
deadly,  Colonel  Merrill,  who  was  in  command  of  the  regi 
ment,  noticed  us,  and  riding  to  us  ordered  us  to  stop  in 
some  place  of  safety  (in  some  ravine  we  were  passing), 
stating  that  we  were  without  arms  and  there  was  no  use  of 
our  endangering  our  lives.  But  that  was  not  a  part  of 


Il8  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

our  plan,  so  we  did  not  stop,  but  as  soon  as  he  left  us  we 
moved  on  with  the  command.  After  some  half  hour  he 
came  back  down  the  line  again,  and  seeing  us  there, 
peremptorily  ordered  us  to  stop,  and  pointing  out  a  large 
tree,  ordered  us  to  lie  down  there.  We  obeyed  the  order, 
but  discussed  the  project  of  keeping  close  up  and  if  we 
saw  him  again  to  hide;  but  we  had  noticed  his  eye  flash 
forth  some  fire,  a  thing  not  common  to  him,  and  we  finally 
decided  that  he  meant  that  we  should  obey  his  order,  and 
that  in  all  probability  he  would  punish  us  if  we  did  not,  so 
we  sat  still.  After  we  stopped,  our  command  did  not  move 
very  far  ahead,  probably  not  more  than  half  a  mile,  where 
we  found  it  early  next  morning. 

"While  we  were  lying  there  we  were  treated  to  some 
of  the  scenes  of  the  rear.  I  saw  several  men  I  knew  from 
another  regiment,  one  of  whom  had  been  a  neighbor  and 
schoolmate.  He  came  rushing  back,  jumping  down  the 
slope  quite  lively,  and  I  said,  'Hello,  Jim,  what's  the  hurry?' 
He  checked  his  flight  enough  to  say  that  in  the  advance 
he  had  fallen  down  and  hurt  his  leg,  and  of  course,  being 
crippled,  was  hurrying  to  the  rear ;  but  he  was  making  good 
time  for  a  cripple.  Perhaps  the  wind  from  the  enemy's 
shells  and  solid  shots,  which  came  with  fearful  velocity, 
was  helping  to  force  him  along. 

"The  second  night,  while  everything  was  still  and  most 
of  the  men  were  asleep,  the  enemy's  batteries  opened  on 
us  and  poured  in  a  tornado  of  shell  for  about  an  hour,  and 
as  our  batteries  replied  the  din  was  terrific.  The  next  day 
we  moved  a  little  to  the  right  and  put  up  a  line  of  works. 
An  old  log  cabin  stood  in  a  field  some  half-mile  to  the 
right  and  front,  and  was  occupied  by  sharpshooters,  who 
were  doing  much  damage,  but  a  cannon  was  brought  to 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  IIQ 

the  right  of  our  regiment,  and  the  old  house  was  soon 
knocked  to  pieces  and  the  sharpshooters  fled  for  their  lives 
amid  a  shower  of  bullets  from  our  skirmishers  and  the 
huzzahs  of  our  line. 

"We  often  listened  to  the  fighting  to  our  right  or  left, 
first  the  cannonading,  then  a  lull,  then  the  hurrahing,  some 
times  the  shrill  boyish  rebel  yell,  sometimes  the  loud,  full- 
voiced,  deep-toned,  far-sounding  chorus  of  Northern  men; 
then  again  the  roar  of  cannon,  the  rattle  of  musketry,  and 
the  awful  suspense  to  the  listeners.  If,  as  the  noise  grew 
feebler,  we  caught  the  welcome  cheer,  an  answering  shout 
ran  along  to  the  right  or  left.  But  if  the  far-off  rebel  yell 
told  of  our  comrades'  repulse,  the  silence  could  be  felt. 

"About  this  time  General  Hooker  was  riding  through 
his  corps,  and  as  he  passed  through  the  Third  Brigade,  the 
boys  yelled  'Hardtack!  Hardtack!'  and  as  he  came  to  our 
brigade  he  heard  the  same  complaining  cry.  He  went  to 
Colonel  Coburn  and  asked  what  it  meant,  and  Coburn 
told  him  our  two  brigades  were  out  of  rations  and  had 
been  for  some  time.  There  had  been  some  mistake,  per 
haps;  favoritism,  perhaps,  but  be  that  as  it  may,  Hooker 
saw  that  things  were  righted  and  we  were  soon  gladdened 
with  the  sight  of  commissary  wagons." 

On  May  twenty-seventh  Wm.  J.  Rouse  of  Company  F 
fell  and  the  following  tribute  to  his  memory  is  by  Lieuten 
ant  Grubbs.  It  will  be  read  with  moist  eyes  by  his  com 
rades: 

Bill  Rouse  was  his  name.  He  belonged  to  "Co.  F," 
"greasy  F,"  the  boys  called  it,  not  that  it  was  literally  and 
always  greasy,  but  rather  because  in  neatness  and  cleanli 
ness  it  was  not,  in  its  early  days,  up  to  the  high  average 


120  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

of  the  well-ordered  regiment.  He  was  the  fat  boy  of  the 
company,  jolly,  sturdy,  awkward  and  slow  of  motion,  with 
a  round,  good-humored,  yet  stolid  face,  pale  blue,  expres 
sionless  eyes,  a  nose  that  was  a  cross  between  a  Roman  and 
a  pug.  He  was,  perhaps,  nineteen  years  old,  a  Shelby 
county  boy;  had  "  'nlisted,"  he  said,  "becoz  he  liked  Old 
Cap  Ensley !  the  other  boys  were  goin'  "  and  he  wanted  "a 
hand  in  savin'  the  Guverment." 

He  was  not  gifted  nor  clever,  was  a  rude,  unlettered, 
but  not  unmanly  boy;  brought  up  in  poverty  and  in  the 
woods,  he  had  few  ideas  or  aspirations  above  duty,  but 
he  had  a  large  capacity  for  physical  enjoyment,  a  nature 
that  was  bubbling  over  with  good  humor,  a  courage  that 
was  innate  and  marvellous  and  a  readiness  and  willingness 
for  duty  and  service  that,  tested  again  and  again,  was 
never  strained  and  never  failed.  He  was  the  butt  of  many 
a  good-humored  but  rough  joke;  much  merciless  and  even 
spiteful  raillery  was  vented  upon  him,  and  many  a  private 
in  the  ranks  and  chevroned  Sergeant  and  Corporal  cursed 
"Bill  Rouse"  because  they  dared  not  curse  anybody  higher. 
Once,  shortly  after  my  assignment  to  the  company,  I  inter 
fered  when  I  thought  the  rough  jokes  and  ill  usage  ex 
ceeded  even  the  license  of  the  camp,  and  shamed  the  big, 
bearded  men  who  were  the  chief  offenders,  and  after  that 
Bill,  wonderingly  and  hesitatingly  took  up  with  me,  be 
came  my  fast  friend,  my  best  man,  my  champion  in  the 
quarters.  Thenceforward  he  swore  by  the  "Little  Loo- 
ten'nt,"  as  he  dubbed  me,  and  would  fight  for  me  at  the 
drop  of  a  hat  and  drop  it  himself.  Bill  was  a  forager  of  no 
mean  repute  in  an  orderly  regiment,  and  many  a  juicy 
piece  of  pork  or  freshly  cured  ham  I  afterwards  found  in 
my  quarters  that  some  wink  of  the  eye  or  some  artfully 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  121 

dropped  word  told  me  I  owed  to  Bill.  Sometimes  it  was 
a  fowl  that  had  unwisely  roosted  too  low,  sometimes  de 
licious  honey  "snaked"  from  a  gum  securely  hidden  on 
the  back  porch  of  some  loyal  (?)  Kentuckian.  On  such 
occasions  I  smiled  and  asked  no  questions.  I  knew  it  was 
Bill.  Naturally  Bill  Rouse  was  not  a  success  in  drill.  He 
was  slouchy  in  walk,  waddled  around  in  ranks  as  clumsily 
as  the  performing  bear,  took  all  his  time  trying  frantically 
to  "catch  step"  and  never  knew  where  his  gun  was. 
Around  him  in  the  ranks  was  always  confusion,  "cussin' ' 
and  hilarity.  He  had  difficulty  in  distinguishing  "sup 
port"  from  "right  shoulder  shift."  When  the  command 
came,  "order  arms,"  he  would  nervously  "present."  He 
was  always  three  motions  behind  in  loading.  So  when 
"Company  F"  went  out  to  drill,  Bill  was  often  given  "fa 
tigue  duty"  on  a  convenient  stump  where  he  could  delight 
edly  see  the  "boys"  "double-quick,"  "wheel,"  "form 
square,"  "lie  down,"  "advance  firing,"  etc.,  or  with  some 
comrades  as  luckless  as  himself  he  would  be  put  in  charge 
of  a  Corporal  and  made  to  "mark  time"  and  go  through 
the  "manual." 

But  on  a  dangerous  picket  post  or  a  hot  skirmish  line, 
Bill  Rouse  was  in  his  glory.  There  he  seemed  bubbling 
over  with  high  spirit.  He  was  utterly  indifferent  to  dan 
ger.  Proximity  to  the  enemy  seemed  to  bring  out  the 
serenity  and  alertness  of  his  nature.  The  whizz  and  zip  of 
a  minie  ball  was  music  to  his  ear.  He  would  watch  for 
a  dangerous  "Johnnie"  as  patiently  as  an  Indian.  A  puff 
of  white  smoke  from  the  line  in  front,  the  glimpse  of  the 
"boy  in  gray"  brought  his  Enfield  to  his  shoulder  like  a 
flash.  A  moment  it  stood  poised  as  his  eye  glanced  along 
the  barrel  and  then  "look  out,  Johnnie,  there's  death  in  the 


122  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

air."  When  a  truce  was  declared  along  the  skirmish  line 
and  Yank  and  Johnnie  came  out  of  their  burrows  and  ex 
changed  sharp  compliments  and  good-humored  repartee 
or  traded  rank  Virginia  for  Uncle  Sam's  best  coffee,  Bill 
was  the  jolliest  of  the  crew.  Lounging  upon  his  rifle  pit, 
he  could  chaff  the  Johnnies  to  his  own  delectation  and 
much  to  their  and  our  amusement.  Many  a  gem  of  rude 
wit  and  rough  banter  we  then  heard  and  enjoyed.  Bill 
would  roar  out  a  boisterous  challenge  to  out-knock,  out- 
jump,  out-shoot,  out-wrestle,  out-cuss,  out-eat  any  Johnnie 
from  old  Jeff  down,  and  then  exuberantly  laugh  at  his 
own  conceit.  Then  suddenly  changing  to  a  most  plaintive 
tone,  with  a  suspicion  of  tears  in  his  voice,  he  would  cry 
out:  "Say,  Johnnies,  why  don't  you'uns  quit  this  foolish 
ness?  We'uns  want  to  go  home." 

When  he  had  spent  his  rough  pleasantry  he  would  throw 
himself  backward  into  his  rifle  pit,  yelling  as  he  went: 
"Hunt  your  holes,  Johnnies,  shootin's  goin'  to  begin." 

Once  upon  a  reserve  picket  post  he  lay  down  beside 
me  and  with  the  stars  looking  down  on  us,  he  began  in  his 
quaint,  uncouth  way  to  talk  about  the  war.  I  can't  tell 
nearly  all  he  simply  and  earnestly  said  to  me  that  night,  nor 
frame  it  in  his  somewhat  rude  dialect,  but  it  revealed  to  me 
that  in  the  heart  of  this  rude,  unlettered  boy  there  burned, 
upon  a  pure  altar,  the  genuine  fire  of  patriotism,  that  death 
less  love  of  home  and  country  that  has  inspired  the  match 
less  deeds  of  the  centuries.  He  could  not  have  told  what 
patriotism  was,  he  knew  nothing  of  constitutions  or  human 
rights,  of  Pilgrim  or  revolutionary  fathers;  he  cared  noth 
ing  for  the  woes  of  slavery;  he  had  a  natural  antipathy  for 
the  negro,  but  he  loved  the  flag;  he  hated  a  rebel  and 
he  was  ready  to  die  that  the  Union  cause  might  triumph. 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  123 

Very  earnestly  he  said  to  me:  "You  won't  believe  it,  Loo- 
ten'nt,  but  if  'twould  end  this  thing  I'd  step  out  to-morrow 
morning  and  let  the  rebs  put  a  dozen  holes  through  me." 
I  believe  he  meant  what  he  said,  and  to-day  I  would  match 
the  instructive  spirit  of  loyalty  and  self-sacrifice  of  this 
unlettered  boy  against  the  most  finished  product  of  school 
or  university. 

On  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  to  the  hour  of  his  death 
Rouse  was  always  on  duty.  He  was  never  known  to 
answer  "sick  call,"  perhaps  didn't  even  know  the  delights 
of  "quinine  and  Dover's."  He  seemed  impervious  to  dis 
ease,  bullets  and  exposure  and,  the  boys  said,  even  gray- 
backs  couldn't  make  it  pleasant  for  him.  When  it  came 
my  turn  to  take  charge  of  the  detail  for  picket  or  the  skir 
mish  line,  I  always  saw  Bill's  smiling  face  in  the  ranks. 
He  would  "swap"  with  any  of  the  boys  on  such  occa 
sions.  One  day  late  in  May  or  early  in  June,  I  cannot  at 
this  date  be  more  accurate,  I  had  charge  of  the  skirmish 
ers  and  Bill  was  on  the  front  line.  The  opposing  works 
were  not  far  apart  and  the  skirmish  lines  were  pushed  so 
close  that  safety  lay  in  closely  hugging  the  ground  and 
the  slightest  exposure  or  want  of  caution  meant  death 
or  painful  wounds.  The  shots  came  hot  and  fast  and 
vicious  that  day  and  they  came  to  kill.  Between  the  lines 
were  open  woods.  About  two  o'clock  that  day  I  was  skirt 
ing  the  edge  of  the  woods  trying  to  inspect  the  skirmish 
line  and  detect  any  change  in  the  situation.  As  I  neared 
that  portion  of  the  line  where  Bill  Rouse  was  stationed,  I 
heard  his  voice  above  the  scattering  shots.  The  first 
words  I  could  distinguish  were:  "You're  afraid  to,  you 
cowardly  reb!" 


124  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 


"I  ain't  any  more  afraid  than  you  are,"  came  a  voice  from 
the  rebel  line. 

"Then  why  don't  you  stand  out  like  a  man  and  gim'me 
a  fair  shot?"  I  heard  Bill  say. 

"Why  don't  you?"  came  back  the  answer. 

"I  will  if  you'll  gim'me  a  shot  at  you/' 

"All  right!  Gim'me  first  shot?" 

"Yes." 

And  then  before  I  could  realize  what  it  meant  or  call  a 
warning  word,  I  saw  Bill  Rouse,  clad  in  blue,  gun  in  hand, 
rise  up  out  of  his  rifle  pit,  step  out,  stand  erect,  pull  back 
his  coat  from  his  broad  breast  and  call  out,  "Shoot  away." 
I  saw  a  flash,  a  puff  of  smoke,  perhaps  a  hundred  yards 
away;  saw  the  figure  in  blue  throw  up  one  hand,  quiver 
for  an  instant  and  then  Bill  Rouse  sank  down  in  his  tracks. 
I  was  by  his  side  in  a  flash,  knelt  down,  tore  open  his  shirt 
and  saw  at  a  glance  that  he  was  mortally  hurt.  His  eyes 
looked  bravely  into  mine,  a  faint  smile  flitted  across  his 
face,  he  tried  to  speak,  gasped  and  was  dead.  We  carried 
his  body  tenderly  back  into  the  lines.  He  was  given  a 
hasty  soldier's  burial  in  the  woods  and  left  to  sleep.  I  sup 
pose  no  one  has  ever  found  his  grave,  but  what  matters  it? 
For  I  trust  and  believe  that  when,  at  last,  the  Great  Father 
of  us  all  gathers  his  jewels,  Bill  Rouse  will  be  among  the 
number. 

An  officer  writes,  May  thirtieth:  "Even  if  one  has  to 
remain  quiet,  the  constant  firing  and  the  continued  waiting 
exhaust  body  and  spirit.  Scarcely  a  night  passes  without 
an  attack,  and  no  words  coined  on  earth  can  describe  the 
terrific  nature  of  such  affairs.  One  could  hardly  imagine 
that  the  bursting  of  all  the  fiends  from  the  pit  would  be 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  125 

able  to  create  so  fearful  a  confusion.  I  thought  I  had  been 
in  some  terrible  thunder-storms,  but  I  feel  now  like  David 
after  he  had  taken  the  census,  and  was  offered  a  choice  of 
punishments;  I  should  rather  fall  into  the  hands  of  God 
than  of  man.  We  are  gaining  very  slowly.  Indeed,  our 
regiment  occupies  the  identical  ground  we  seized  about  a 
week  ago." 

June  sixth,  J.  M.  Wills:  "We  went  into  camp  near 
the  foot  of  Lost  Mountain.  It  rained  almost  daily,  and 
we  had  to  cut  brush  to  sleep  on  in  order  to  keep  out  of 
the  mud  and  water.  While  in  this  camp  we  were  short  of 
rations,  and  the  boys  gathered  waste  corn  around  the 
mules'  feeding  places,  and  after  washing,  drying  and  parch 
ing,  ate  it." 

Lieutenant  Grubbs  writes  home,  June  seventh:  "We 
came  into  our  present  position  yesterday  afternoon  at  one 
o'clock,  amid  a  beating  rain,  and  from  two  o'clock  until 
night  worked  hard  on  entrenchments.  By  dark  we  had 
strong  and  substantial  breastworks.  Batteries  were  placed 
in  position,  troops  were  disposed  for  battle  and  everything 
was  admirably  arranged  to  give  a  welcome  and  fitting  re 
ception  to  Johnston's  army  should  it  precipitate  itself  on 
our  corps.  We  are  now  upon  the  extreme  left  of  our  army 
and  somewhat  detached,  as  we  necessarily  must  be  from 
the  remainder,  we  are  probably  in  more  danger  of  an  at 
tack  than  any  other  portion  of  it.  So  we  march  a  part  of 
the  day,  drive  in  their  skirmishers,  until  we  gain  a  good 
position,  and  then  \vork  like  bees  until  we  have  strong 
breastworks  to  protect  us.  We  had  pretty  heavy  skir 
mishing  during  the  afternoon,  but  towards  night  it  grew 
quiet.  This  morning  there  are  occasional  volleys  along 


126  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

the  skirmish  line,  but  as  yet  nothing  indicates  an  engage 
ment. 

"Since  I  wrote  you  last  we  have  had  a  hard  time.  We 
were  relieved  in  the  center  by  the  Fifteenth  Corps  on  the 
second  of  June,  and  since  that  time  have  been  marching 
and  fighting  every  day.  To  add  to  our  discomfort  it  has 
rained  torrents  every  day,  until  the  roads  have  grown 
frightful.  For  three  days  and  nights  we  were  wet  to  the 
skin,  not  a  dry  article  of  clothing  on  us;  each  night  our 
beds  were  the  wet  and  muddy  ground,  without  even  fires, 
lest  we  should  discover  our  position  to  the  enemy.  I  never 
knew  what  hardship  was  before.  There  is  an  intense  mean 
ing  in  that  word  now.  How  men  can  stand  for  week  after 
week  what  we  have  stood,  I  confess  was  a  mystery  before 
this  campaign  commenced.  But  they  do  stand  it  cheer 
fully  and  bravely.  The  only  thing  I  have  noticed 
that  can  disturb  their  equanimity  and  set  them  to  grum 
bling  is  short  rations.  Let  men  be  all  day  and  night  on 
the  skirmish  line  without  a  thing  to  eat,  or  work  all  day  on 
entrenchments  .without  even  a  cracker,  and  if  the  most 
patient  and  patriotic  of  them  don't  have  something  to  say 
in  regard  to  it,  I  am  mistaken." 

A  letter  from  J.  L.  Ketcham  is  dated  Sunday  morning, 
June  twelfth:  "In  the  woods  three  miles  below  Ackworth. 
Rain!  Rain!  Rain!  I  never  saw  the  like.  Thunder-storm 
after  thunder-storm.  Rain  all  night.  It  was  nine  o'clock 
this  morning  before  it  stopped  long  enough  for  me  to 
crawl  out  (the  only  way  to  get  out  of  these  little  tents) 
and  make  a  cup  of  coffee.  We  were  ordered  to  pack  up 
the  other  morning  at  daylight;  just  as  we  got  ready,  it 
commenced  to  rain,  and  we  waited  and  waited  for  further 
orders  all  day  in  the  rain.  The  hardest  rain  I  ever  saw 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  127 

fell  the  other  day  when  our  regiment  was  on  picket,  but 
I'll  give  an  account  of  the  whole  day.  At  daylight  we  were 
called  up  unexpectedly  to  be  ready  to  march  in  ten  min 
utes.  We  were  ready,  and  waited  for  two  hours;  couldn't 
take  off  our  things  to  get  breakfast.  At  dinner  time  we 
stacked  arms,  but  couldn't  leave  ranks  to  get  dinner.  Rest 
ing  about  an  hour,  we  went  several  miles  farther  and  put 
up  our  tents  for  the  night.  Just  got  them  up  when  an 
order  came  for  the  whole  regiment  to  go  on  picket.  Then 
the  rain  came  down  by  the  bucketful,  and  constant  firing 
was  kept  up  all  night.  The  supply  train  can't  get  up,  and 
we  are  on  half  rations.  I  have  seen  fellows  offer  twenty- 
five  and  fifty  cents  for  a  hard  tack.  In  passing  a  battery 
near  us  yesterday  I  saw  a  fellow  from  our  regiment  picking 
up  a  few  grains  of  corn  which  a  battery  horse  had  left.  We 
are  having  rough  times,  sure!  It  won't  last  long,  though, 
and  I  don't  mind  it  at  all  while  I  am  well. 

"We  haven't  been  under  fire  now  for  several  days, 
though  we  can  hear  cannon  now  and  then  on  our  right. 
We  were  under  fire  almost  a  month  every  day  from  the 
tenth  of  May  to  the  first  of  June,  skirmishing  or  fighting. 
We  had  over  eight  hundred  men  for  duty  at  Wauhatchie, 
and  now  haven't  four  hundred — half  of  us  killed,  wounded, 
and  played  out.  And  this,  I'm  afraid,  is  only  the  begin- 
ning." 

On  June  fourteenth,  Lieutenant  Grubbs:  "We  are  mud- 
bound.  Almost  incessant  rain  for  a  week  past  has  ren 
dered  the  roads  so  near  impassable  that  as  unwieldy  a  body 
as  an  army  can  scarcely  move  at  all.  I  wish  you  could 
have  seen  us  in  our  camp,  or  rather  stopping  place,  yester 
day  and  day  before.  From  morning  to  night  there  was 
scarce  a  moment's  cessation  of  rain;  it  overflowed  our 


128  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ditches  and  came  streaming  into  our  tents.    Blankets,  oil 
cloths,  clothes,  and  everything  else  were  wet." 

Several  letters  refer  to  the  affair  at  Golgotha  or  New 
Hope  Church  as  an  occasion  when  'The  First  Brigade  went 
out  to  feel  the  enemy  and  got  felt."  J.  M.  Wills:  "I 
heard  General  Butterfield  tell  our  brigade  commander  that 
he  wanted  him  to  make  a  reconnaissance  only,  and  let  the 
right  of  his  brigade  rest  on  the  road  that  ran  out  toward 
the  enemy.  The  Seventieth  was  on  the  right  and  moved 
off  at  the  command,  but  had  not  gone  far  until  it  found 
the  enemy's  pickets  in  their  pits.  Then  came  the  order 
to  charge  double-quick,  and  with  a  Hoosier  yell  we  went 
for  them,  and  for  some  minutes  it  was  hard  to  tell  who 
would  get  in  first,  the  rebs  or  the  Yanks.  In  making 
that  charge  our  regiment  was  thrown  to  the  right  of  the 
road  in  an  open  field,  and  we  pursued  the  enemy  through 
that  field  and  into  a  wood  within  three  or  four  hundred 
yards  of  his  breastworks,  which  were  as  strong  as  science 
and  labor  could  make  them. 

"When  we  came  upon  their  abattis  and  chevaux  de  frise, 
which  were  almost  impassable,  we  halted.  In  a  few 
minutes  the  enemy  began  to  pay  us  his  respects  with  solid 
shot,  and  kept  it  up  until  nightfall.  Orders  came  for  every 
man  to  protect  himself  as  best  he  could,  so  some  lay  flat 
upon  the  ground,  some  behind  chunks  and  logs  and  some 
behind  trees.  We  remained  in  that  position  for  four  long 
hours,  and  had  a  number  killed,  and  all  by  solid  shot  from 
the  battery.  When  night  came  we  were  relieved  by  a 
Michigan  regiment,  and,  going  to  the  rear,  prepared  some 
thing  to  eat,  then  took  up  the  march  and  were  put  to  mak 
ing  works  for  our  protection  on  the  front  line.  I  used 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  129 

my  bayonet  to  dig  with,  and  others  moved  the  dirt  with 
boards." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "At  Golgotha,  or  New  Hope  Church,  we 
were  formed  in  line  for  an  attack,  and  advanced  across 
undulating  fields  into  rather  thin  woods.  There  we  found 
the  rebel  skirmishers  in  strong  force,  who  fell  back  slowly, 
loading  and  firing  deliberately.  At  each  report  one  of  our 
boys  would  fall.  This  was  more  trying  to  men's  nerves 
than  being  in  battle,  for  there  shot  could  be  returned  for 
shot.  When  we  came  to  where  the  bushes  had  been  cut 
down,  and  could  see  the  top  of  the  enemy's  works,  Col 
onel  Harrison  commanded  his  regiment  to  fix  bayonets 
and  said:  'Men,  the  enemy's  works  are  just  ahead  of  us, 
but  we  will  go  right  over  them.  Forward!  Double-quick! 
March!'  Every  man  sprang  forward  with  a  yell,  and  we 
soon  came  to  a  dirt  road,  where  a  terrific  volley  was  fired 
into  us,  from  what  we  supposed  was  the  reserved  skir 
mishers  of  the  enemy.  We  saw  the  flash  of  their  guns  and 
dropped  to  the  ground,  so  the  volley  did  us  but  little 
harm.  Then  we  were  up  and  went  forward  with  a  rush  and 
a  yell  across  a  little  field  into  another  strip  of  heavy  oak 
woods.  When  close  up  to  the  chevaux  de  frise  the  enemy 
opened  on  us  from  a  battery,  and  continued  to  pour  shot 
and  shell  into  us  for  several  hours.  We  would  await  a 
discharge  from  a  cannon  and  instantly  fire  at  the  flash, 
knowing  from  what  we  had  seen  of  their  works  before, 
that  protecting  sand-bags  were  arranged  to  fall  as  soon  as 
the  cannon  sprang  back  from  the  port  hole.  We  did  exe 
cution  with  their  gunners,  as  was  seen  by  the  pools  of 
blood  where  their  guns  stood  when  we  occupied  the  works 
two  days  later. 

"We  kept  the  fight  going  till  it  began  to  grow  dusk, 


130  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

when  the  order  was  passed  along  the  line  to  cease  firing 
and  we  were  relieved  by  the  Nineteenth  Michigan.  About 
midnight  we  marched  to  the  front  again,  going  to  the  left 
and  taking  position,  then  gathered  logs  and  built  breast 
works.  As  soon  as  daylight  of  the  sixteenth  came,  the 
enemy's  skirmishers  poured  in  such  a  terrific  fire  that  our 
skirmish  line  had  to  be  reinforced.  This  skirmishing  was 
the  most  severe  we  experienced  at  any  time  on  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  many  of  our  men  were  killed  or  wounded. 
Both  lines  being  heavy,  the  contest  was  more  like  a  battle 
than  a  skirmish.  Batteries,  twelve  guns  in  all,  were  placed 
in  our  breastworks,  and  the  uproar  caused  by  their  dis 
charge  and  by  the  shells  sent  from  the  enemy  made  the 
day  long  to  be  remembered." 

Not  far  from  Marietta,  June  nineteenth,  Ketcham  writes: 
"We  started  on  our  journey  again  after  the  rebels,  and  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  fifteenth  got  into  a  fight.  We  ran 
on  one  of  their  strong  forts,  and  how  we  ever  got  out 
again  is  wonderful.  They  had  eight  guns  playing  against 
our  regiment.  The  shot  and  shell  were  terrible,  but  only 
some  forty  were  wounded  and  a  few  torn  all  to  pieces. 
Some  had  very  narrow  escapes.  A  bullet  struck  a  spy-glass 
in  Major  Ragan's  pocket  and  afterward  a  cannon-ball  cut 
his  belt  in  two,  and  only  bruised  him.  One  man  had  his 
haversack  torn  all  to  pieces,  another  his  gun  bent  like  a 
hoop.  After  dark  we  went  back  for  ammunition.  The 
men  had  nearly  all  shot  their  sixty  rounds.  After  mid 
night  we  went  forward  again  and  built  breastworks.  All 
day  we  fought  behind  our  breastworks,  and  the  rebels 
behind  theirs.  The  skirmishers  out  in  front  did  most  of 
the  fighting.  We  lost  several  wounded  during  the  day. 
I  was  making  a  detail,  when  a  ball  passed  under  my  chin 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  131 

and  struck  a  man  right  by  me.  I  have  a  ball  in  my  pocket 
now  that  hit  me.  It  was  a  spent  ball  and  didn't  hurt. 

"Toward  evening  the  rebels  opened  eight  guns  on  us 
for  about  ten  minutes,  but  did  not  hurt  a  man.  Next  day 
the  rebels  fell  back,  and  we  followed,  passing  through  the 
fort.  This  fort  was  the  strongest  I  ever  saw.  The  rebels 
?iad  cut  down  trees  in  front,  and  sharpened  every  limb,  so 
that  a  rabbit  could  hardly  have  got  nearer  than  ten  feet. 
We  flanked  them,  though,  and  they  had  to  skedaddle.  That 
day  we  had  advanced  in  line  of  battle,  but  were  not  in 
the  front  line.  Had  a  rest  that  night  and  all  the  next  day, 
though  it  rained  in  torrents. 

"To-day  is  shower  and  sunshine,  and  we  are  encamped 
in  an  open  field,  the  first  time  for  nearly  two  months.  Glad 
to  get  out  of  the  thick  woods,  where  we  were  nearly  tor 
mented  to  death  by  bugs,  ants,  scorpions,  snakes  and 
creeping  things  of  every  description.  A  black  snake  two 
feet  long  came  crawling  up  by  my  side  one  day  while  I 
was  lying  in  my  tent.  You  better  believe  I  jumped.  One 
ten  feet  long  was  killed  not  far  from  where  I  was  sleeping." 

J.  M.  Wills:  "From  the  seventeenth  of  June  to  the 
twenty-first  we  slowly  followed  the  retreating  enemy,  do 
ing  little  but  skirmish  till  we  reached  the  base  of  Kenesaw 
Mountain.  On  the  twenty-third  \ve  moved  to  the  right 
through  sparsely  timbered  ground  nearly  to  the  edge  of  a 
cornfield,  on  the  opposite  side  of  which,  a  few  hundred 
yards  distant,  were  the  rebel  works.  We  carried  logs  and 
rails  through  a  field  of  dewberries,  and  the  temptation  was 
great  to  pick  the  fruit,  even  though  the  sharpshooters  were 
doing  their  best  to  pick  us  off.  With  bayonets  for  picks, 
hands  and  messpans  for  shovels,  we  soon  had  a  good 
strong  line  of  works.  The  enemy  came  out  on  our  right 


132  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

in  front  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps  and  gave  battle.  Gen 
eral  Butterfield's  batteries,  which  we  were  supporting, 
poured  in  shot  and  shell  and  the  attack  was  soon  over." 

An  officer  writes:  "In  the  midst  of  battle,  June  twenty- 
seventh.  A  terrible  fight  is  raging  all  along  the  line,  but 
as  it  is  made  our  duty  to  hold  the  center  and  prevent  the 
enemy  from  breaking  through,  I  can  lie  under  the  breast 
works  and  beneath  the  flying  balls  and  pencil  a  few  lines  to 
you.  We  have  rumors  of  our  repulse  on  the  left,  but  no 
dependence  can  be  placed  on  reports  here,  as  every  soldier 
has  his  mouth  and  ears  full  of  them. 

"My  experience  leads  me  to  believe  that  about  one-fifth 
of  the  Confederates  fight  as  well  as  our  best  troops,  sur 
passing  us  in  bitterness  and  desperation,  but  on  an  average 
our  soldiers  are  much  superior  to  theirs.  In  numberless 
cases  we  have  carried  their  works,  but  I  have  yet  to  learn 
of  one  attack  upon  us  in  which  they  have  been  successful. 

"It  would  be  wise,  however,  to  write  little  on  this  sub 
ject,  as  we  are  in  a  position  before  which  the  enemy  is 
supposed  to  be  massing  his  forces,  and  we  may  not  be  able 
to  hold  our  ground.  It  is  hard  to  write,  the  battery  we  are 
supporting  keeps  up  such  an  uproar,  almost  lifting  one's 
scalp  at  each  discharge.  When  the  war  ends  I  am  going 
to  retire  to  the  wilderness  every  Fourth  of  July  to  pre 
vent  myself  from  hearing  the  hideous  noise  made  by  ex 
ploding  gunpowder. 

"Just  as  this  point  I  had  occasion  to  call  out,  Tut  on 
your  shirt  and  accoutrements,  sir!  This  is  no  time  to  be 
looking  for  vermin.'  One  of  the  horrors  of  this  kind  of 
life  is  that  the  men's  bodies  and  clothes  are  alive,  and 
nothing  can  be  done  to  relieve  them,  as  they  have  no 
change  of  clothing  and  seldom  have  an  opportunity  to 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  133 

bathe.  The  officer  can  escape  the  affliction,  but  the  poor 
private  drags  his  tormented  carcass  in  utter  hopelessness 
to  the  end  of  the  campaign. 

"Every  man  from  Colonel  down  to  private  is  broken 
out  horribly,  and  cannot  enjoy  a  moment's  rest  for  the 
intolerable  itching.  Such  things  may  appear  only  disgust 
ing  to  you,  but  I  consider  them  as  constituting  the  chief 
hardship  of  the  soldier,  and  the  man  who  endures  them 
for  his  country  is  worthy  of  the  highest  respect." 

Again  he  writes,  July  first:  "I  had  to  laugh  at  Jane's 
prescription  for  my  health,  in  which  she  tells  me  to  have 
Jerry  toast  me  a  slice  of  bread,  to  take  so  much  butter  and 
such  a  quantity  of  tea,  and  a  little  cinnamon,  and,  if  ap 
proved,  a  pinch  of  ground  cloves  mixed  in  a  bowl.  Bless 
her  kind,  suggestive  heart!  Doesn't  she  know  that  from 
bread  to  bowl  we  are  lacking,  and  that  she  might  as  well 
prescribe  ice  cream  to  be  eaten  from  a  golden  goblet,  three 
times  daily?  As  for  the  pudding  that  we  are  to  bake  in  a 
skillet,  tell  her  that  our  only  cooking  utensils  are  a  fruit 
can  for  coffee  and  a  tin  bucket  in  which  Jerry  fries  the 
meat.  The  bucket  Jerry  stole.  He  'wasn't  gwine  to  hab 
everything  stold  from  him  and  not  have  nothin'  to  cook 
in.'  " 

U.  H.  Farr:  "On  July  second  an  order  came  for  the 
skirmishers  to  be  called  in  and  for  the  men  to  load  and 
shoot  from  the  works  at  the  enemy's  works,  and  this  inces 
sant  fire  was  kept  up  for  several  hours.  A  little  after  mid 
night  on  July  third  I  was  listening  at  the  breastworks.  The 
stillness  was  oppressive.  The  firing  along  the  lines  had 
been  continuous  for  many  days,  but  now  all  at  once  an 
ominous  quiet  had  fallen.  Suddenly  the  report  of  a  rifle 
rang  out,  and  I  heard  a  ball  strike  the  rebel  works  plainly. 


134  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

A  man  near  them  cried  out,  'Don't  shoot,  I'm  coming!' 
Then  for  a  few  minutes  everything  was  as  still  as  if  no  hu 
man  being  was  within  a  thousand  miles.  Then  came 
wafted  across  the  cornfield  the  same  voice,  'Where  are  you, 
Yank?  I'm  coming.'  Then  the  voice  of  the  man  who 
shot,  'Here  I  am,  lay  down  your  gun  and  come  on.'  Then 
the  reb :  'All  right,  I've  laid  it  down.  I'm  coming !'  After 
four  or  five  minutes  the  reb  called,  'Where  are  you?'  and 
was  answered,  'Here!'  and  then  he  spoke  out  loud  and  dis 
tinct,  'Why  don't  you  all  go  on  and  take  possession  of  the 
works;  there  is  no  one  in  them.  Our  army  left  them  hours 
ago?' 

"Soon  the  camp  \vas  in  a  bustle,  fires  were  burning, 
breakfast  was  eaten,  and  before  light  a  long  line  had 
climbed  over  the  enemy's  breastworks  and  were  hurrying 
after  the  retreating  foe.  About  a  mile  in  rear  of  these 
works  we  came  to  a  log  church,  and  some  prisoners  we 
had  taken  told  us  that  the  day  we  fired  from  the  works 
some  of  the  bullets  came  that  far  and  killed  some  men, 
showing  that  our  rifles  would  throw  balls  more  than  a  mile 
with  sufficient  force  to  kill. 

"We  were  continually  picking  up  stragglers  who  came 
out  of  the  thickets  or  ravines  and  surrendered,  saying  they 
had  enough  of  the  war,  and  that  it  was  no  use  to  fight  any 
longer.  One  can  easily  imagine  how  this  cheered  us,  for 
we  saw  the  end  coming,  and  the  time  approaching  when 
soldier  life  would  be  over  and  we  could  enjoy  our  peace 
ful  homes. 

"A  little  before  noon  we  came  in  collision  with  a  rebel 
battery  stationed  on  a  hill  about  a  mile  distant.  Battery 
I,  First  Michigan,  was  brought  up  and  placed  on  an  ele 
vation  near  an  old  cotton  gin,  and  our  brigade  was  formed 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  135 

just  behind  it,  so  as  to  act  as  support  in  case  of  attack  by 
infantry.  An  artillery  duel  soon  began,  each  side  sending 
shells  into  the  other  as  fast  as  possible.  The  men  from  our 
brigade  were  lying  down  some  sixty  feet  behind  the  bat 
tery,  and  the  shells  from  the  enemy's  guns  could  be  seen 
for  a  half  mile  or  more  before  reaching  us,  coming  gen 
erally  end  over  end.  Many  of  them  passed  entirely  beyond 
us  and  stirred  up  the  musicians,  cooks  and  all  who  made 
it  a  business  to  stay  in  the  rear  during  a  fight.  Most  of 
the  shells  fell,  however,  among  the  battery  men  or  horses, 
or,  passing  them,  dropped  among  the  infantry.  Occasion 
ally  a  shell  plowed  under  some  of  our  boys  who  were  lying 
down,  threw  them  into  the  air,  and  emerged  from  the 
earth  to  burst  in  the  rear.  Things  soon  became  exciting, 
for  the  enemy  was  getting  the  range  of  our  position,  and 
was  cutting  his  fuses  so  accurately  that  nearly  every  shell 
burst  in  our  midst.  Finally  a  shell  penetrated  a  caisson 
that  was  full  of  ammunition  and  caused  it  to  explode,  send 
ing  its  contents  in  every  direction,  killing  a  man,  a  horse, 
and  wounding  two  men. 

"General  Hooker  ordered  up  another  battery,  and 
climbing  into  the  cotton  gin,  field-glass  in  hand,  began  to 
look  over  the  position  of  the  enemy's  battery,  and  to  see  if 
the  shots  from  our  guns  fell  right.  The  enemy  saw  him 
enter  the  gin,  and  dropping  a  shell  or  two  into  it  forced 
him  to  evacuate  it  rapidly.  As  the  duel  was  being  too 
much  prolonged,  another  battery  of  our  division  was 
brought  up,  soon  ending  the  contest.  Our  column  moved 
forward  at  a  rapid  pace  and  went  into  camp  at  sundown. 
The  weather  was  very  hot,  and  many  of  our  men  fell  from 
the  ranks  and  were  kept  alive  by  their  comrades  pouring 
cold  water  on  their  heads,  then  fanning  and  rubbing  them." 


136  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

Lieutenant  S.  B.  Robertson's  diary:  "We  were  awak 
ened  this  morning  at  two  o'clock  and  ordered  to  get  break 
fast  and  be  ready  to  march  at  daylight,  as  the  enemy  had 
left  our  front.  We  started  about  half-past  five,  and  after 
marching  four  miles  came  in  sight  of  a  battery  which 
shelled  us.  We  got  up  a  Michigan  battery,  which  replied, 
and  when  both  parties  ceased  firing  we  advanced  one-half 
mile  in  a  piece  of  woods  to  support  another  battery,  which 
had  opened  a  brisk  fire  on  the  enemy.  When  the  enemy 
fell  back  our  boys  made  coffee  and  resumed  the  march. 
After  marching  and  countermarching  over  every  ridge  in 
Georgia,  as  it  seemed  to  us,  we  found  ourselves  three  miles 
south  of  the  point  which  we  left  in  the  morning,  and 
bivouacked  about  sunset.  July  fourth:  At  early  dawn 
the  Camps  were  enlivened  by  several  bands  playing  the  na 
tional  airs.  In  the  evening  we  were  again  cheered  with 


music." 


Lieutenant  Grubbs:  "The  enemy  evacuated  his  strong 
position  on  the  night  of  the  second  of  July,  and  on  the 
morning  of  the  third  we  pursued.  We  passed  through  four 
lines  of  works,  the  last  two  so  strong  and  skillfully  con 
structed  that  it  would  seem  no  column  could  successfully 
charge  them.  About  four  miles  out  we  came  upon  them 
on  a  ridge  with  a  battery  planted  and  commanding  the 
road  we  were  advancing  upon.  They  opened  upon  us  be 
fore  we  got  into  position,  and  for  a  time  hurried  our  move 
ments  up  a  little.  But  we  soon  got  into  line,  put  a  battery 
into  position,  and  returned  shell  for  shell.  For  about  an 
hour  it  was  an  exceedingly  hot  place;  shot  and  shell  flew 
over  us  and  burst  above  us  entirely  too  closely  for  our 
comfort  or  content.  We  lay  in  column  on  the  ridge  of  a 
hill  and  fortunately  most  of  their  balls  either  plunged  into 


MARCHING   AND    FIGHTING  137 

the  bank  in  front  of  us  or  passed  screaming  over  us.  Some 
plowed  up  the  ground  among  the  ranks,  but  not  a  man  of 
the  Seventieth  was  killed.  Two  shells  burst  in  our  battery, 
which  we  were  supporting,  killing  one  man  and  wounding 
two  others,  together  with  several  horses.  I  assure  you  it 
was  not  a  desirable  place  at  all.  I  could  see  the  shell 
passing  as  plainly  as  you  can  see  a  bird  flying  through  the 
air.  But  we  soon  routed  them  and  pursued  the  march. 

"I  think  their  army  is  fast  becoming  demoralized.  Up  to 
noon  on  the  third  I  saw  two  hundred  and  fifty  deserters, 
all  of  whom  came  into  the  lines  of  our  brigade.  They 
seemed  as  rejoiced  as  schoolboys  on  holiday,  glad  to  get 
out  and  glad  to  see  our  columns.  We  marched  ten  miles 
on  the  third  and  went  into  camp  at  sundown.  On  the 
fourth  there  was  music  and  shouting  and  general  rejoicing. 
At  three  o'clock  we  were  ordered  forward,  and  after  march 
ing  eight  miles  put  up  works.  On  the  sixth  we  marched 
six  miles  to  our  present  position,  within  view  from  tree- 
tops  of  Atlanta." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "In  some  places  along  the  Chattahoochie 
River  a  truce  would  be  arranged  between  the  pickets,  and 
the  men  would  trade  rations.  Our  boys  had  coffee  and 
hardtack  and  the  Rebs  had  tobacco  and  corn-bread,  so 
they  would  strip,  find  shallow  places,  wade  into  the  mid 
dle  of  the  stream  and  exchange." 

Lieutenant  Robertson:  "Wednesday,  July  thirteenth, 
Captain  Sleeth  went  to  corps  sutlers  and  got  four  cans 
of  fresh  peaches  at  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  can.  Sun 
day,  July  seventeenth.  The  day  is  fine  and  bright.  We 
had  our  weekly  inspection  at  eight  o'clock,  and  divine  ser 
vice  at  nine,  conducted  by  Chaplain  Allen,  who  gave  our 


138  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

company  four  housewives,  which  were  drawn  for  by  lot 
tery." 

Another  officer  writes:  "I  had  a  funny  experience  about 
two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  twentieth,  while  I  was 
going  around  the  picket  lines  as  division  officer  of  the  day. 
In  making  my  way  through  the  woods  from  one  post  to 
another,  I  became  confused  and  wandered  between  the 
two  lines  until  I  lost  all  idea  as  to  which  was  which.  There 
was  no  resource  but,  as  the  boys  say,  'to  chance  it.'  After 
floundering  about  as  quietly  as  possible,  I  came  at  last  upon 
some  logs  that  certainly  indicated  a  picket  post.  Creep 
ing  cautiously  toward  it  with  my  pistol  cocked,  for  I  didn't 
propose  to  be  taken  prisoner,  I  was  chilled  by  seeing  a 
head,  on  which  was  a  light-colored,  broad-brimmed  som 
brero,  such  as  the  Southerners  wear,  rise  from  behind  the 
logs.  The  sentinel  should  have  called  'Halt,'  but  I  spoke 
first:  'What  regiment?'  and  my  bones  froze  as  he  an 
swered,  'Twenty-first  Kentucky!'  since  for  the  instant  Ken 
tucky  meant  Confederate.  Then,  as  the  contrary  thought 
and  hope  flashed  into  my  mind,  flashed  out,  as  I  prepared 
to  shoot  and  run,  'What  corps?'  'Fourth  corps,'  was  the 
reply.  The  chill  vanished,  my  bones  grew  warm  as  I  calm 
ly  asked,  'Which  way  are  the  Twentieth  corps  pickets?' 
However  I  could  not  keep  from  meditating  on  the  bad 
taste  of  a  Union  soldier  wearing  a  hat  taken  from  a  dead 
Confederate,  and  so  giving  me  the  worst  scare  of  the  cam 
paign." 


U 


CHAPTER  IX. 
THE    BATTLE    OF    PEACH    TREE    CREEK 

On  the  seventeenth  of  July,  1864,  our  regiment  moved 
to  the  left  and  crossed  the  Chattahoochie  river  above  Yin- 
ing' s  Station,  and  about  eleven  o'clock  on  the  twentieth 
passed  over  Peach  Tree  Creek,  a  deep  and  muddy  stream, 
on  a  bridge  of  rails  and  poles,  and  stacked  arms  in  the 
bottomland  not  far  from  the  water.  The  men  soon  scat 
tered,  some  getting  dinner,  some  going  to  the  creek,  some 
picking  blackberries.  About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon 
the  skirmishers  on  the  hill  in  front  began  to  fire  at  a  furious 
rate,  and  some  of  our  men  who  had  gone  up  to  get  a 
view  of  the  enemy  came  hurrying  down  the  hill  at  a  break 
neck  pace.  Everybody  in  our  command  was  rushing  into 
line,  the  officers  calling  to  men,  "Fall  in!  Fall  in!"  and 
the  men  exclaiming,  "O  God,  boys,  they  are  out  of  their 
works!  We've  got  'em  now!" 

Then  came  the  order,  "Forward,  double-quick!"  and  off 
we  rushed.  We  could  see  the  skirmish  line  doubling  its 
efforts  in  loading  and  shooting  from  behind  the  few  rails 
used  for  protection.  Just  as  we  reached  the  top  of  a  low 
ridge,  about  one-third  as  high  as  the  big  hill  and  parallel 
to  it,  and  were  about  two-thirds  of  the  way  from  the  creek 
to  that  hill,  we  saw  the  collision  between  the  Confederates 
and  our  skirmishers,  the  latter  being  forced  back,  loading 
and  firing  as  they  yielded.  The  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
ninth  Illinois  was  formed  in  front  of  the  Seventieth  Indi 
ana,  but  when  it  had  passed  over  the  ridge  down  into  a 
ravine,  we  fired  a  volley  over  its  head  and  lay  down.  As 

139 


140  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

the  enemy,  attracted  by  the  fact  that  our  division  was  the 
only  one  unprotected  by  breastworks,  came  rushing  over 
the  hill,  the  Illinois  troops  obliqued  to  the  right  and  gave 
the  Indiana  men  a  chance  to  move  forward.  Down  the 
ridge  we  went,  through  the  sassafras  bushes,  over  a  gully 
some  four  feet  wide  and  seven  feet  deep,  up  the  high  hill, 
on  the  top  of  which  were  the  piles  of  rails  thrown  to 
gether  by  the  skirmishers.  The  Confederate  line  broke  in 
our  regimental  front  and  fled  down  the  hill,  but  on  the 
right  a  few  hundred  of  the  enemy  made  a  determined  fight 
to  stem  the  tide  of  the  brigade's  advance.  There  is  a 
struggle  for  and  the  capture  of  flags  by  the  regiments  of 
our  brigade  to  the  right,  and  then  the  hand-to-hand  con 
test  is  over. 

As  our  adversaries  hastened  down  the  hill  and  through 
a  wide  field  in  the  direction  of  Atlanta,  volley  after  volley 
was  poured  after  them,  dotting  the  field  with  the  dead  and 
dying.  Along  the  slope  of  the  hill  inclining  toward  the 
city,  deep  gutters  had  been  washed  by  the  rains,  and  the 
foe  had  hidden  in  them  as  a  protection  from  the  infantry. 
Some  of  these  washes  were  subjected  to  an  enfilading  fire 
from  the  batteries.  The  next  day  these  ravines  were  found 
to  be  filled  with  the  mangled  remains  of  Confederate  sol 
diers.  A  retreating  regiment  left  a  flag  with  the  staff  stuck 
in  the  ground  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  our  front.  As 
night  approached  a  couple  of  our  men  added  it  to  the  six 
already  captured  by  the  Third  Division.  In  the  course 
of  the  afternoon  as  the  supply  of  ammunition  ran  low, 
men  from  each  company  were  sent  to  the  ordnance  wagons 
in  the  rear  for  boxes  of  cartridges.  We  had  seen  famish 
ing  men  crowd  for  food  and  water,  but  now  there  was  a 
greater  rush  for  powder  and  ball.  As  soon  as  the  enemy 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    141 

had  been  driven  from  the  top  of  the  hill  every  rail  and 
chunk  that  could  be  found  was  used  to  form  a  breastwork. 

Just  after  the  Seventieth  had  won  its  final  position  on 
Peach  Tree  Heights,  while  the  rattle  of  musketry  was  al 
most  drowned  in  the  awful  roar  of  the  artillery,  for  it  was 
not  only  "cannon  to  right  of  them,  cannon  to  left  of  them," 
but  cannon  behind  them  also,  firing  over  their  heads,  an 
aide  came  dashing  up  to  the  officer  in  command  of  the 
regiment,  exclaiming,  "General  Sherman  sends  word, 
'Hold  your  ground  and  he  will  take  Atlanta  before  sun 
down/  '  The  response  was:  "We'll  die  right  here,"  which 
doubtless  voiced  the  determination  of  every  man  who  held 
that  hill.  The  men  were  ready  for  the  sacrifice,  but  many 
more  patriots  than  compose  a  regiment  gave  their  lives 
before  Atlanta  fell. 

The  scenes  of  the  battlefield  are  never  to  be  forgotten. 
The  Mexican  war  veteran,  Captain  Carson,  empties  his 
pistol  at  the  enemy  after  he  had  aligned  his  company,  and 
exclaims  as  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  obliques 
to  the  right  and  gives  the  left  wing  of  the  Seventieth  free 
dom  to  move:  "Colonel,  can't  we  go  forward?"  Captain 
Endsley, another  Mexican  veteran,  shouts,  "The  day  is  ours, 
but  keep  back  there  on  the  left."  Captain  Matlock  laugh 
ingly  answers  an  anxious  inquiry  as  he  is  assisted  from  the 
field:  "Yes,  hit  just  as  I  expected."  Matthias  Stuck,  faint 
from  the  uphill  race  and  from  the  sight  of  a  dead  comrade, 
asks  the  officer  in  command  of  the  regiment  to  let  him 
shift  his  position,  so  that  his  head  may  be  shaded  by  a 
sassafras  bush,  but  is  restored  to  his  senses  by  a  bullet 
through  the  leg,  so  as  to  be  able  jokingly  to  ask 
if  he  can't  find  a  shade  a  little  farther  back.  Captain  Mere 
dith,  who  ought  to  be  in  the  hospital,  moves  at  the  head 


THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

of  his  company  with  countenance  in  which  pain  and  tri 
umph  mingle.  Acting  Adjutant  Cox,  beautiful  as  a  girl, 
brave  as  a  lion,  rushes  through  the  left  of  the  Illinois  regi 
ment  to  the  hilltop,  his  form  as  he  reaches  the  crest  out 
lined  against  the  sky,  waves  his  hat  exultantly,  and  beck 
ons  a  command  "Forward!"  for  no  voice  could  be  heard  in 
the  uproar.  Hundreds  of  brave  names  and  brave  incidents 
\vould  be  mentioned,  were  memory  called  on  to  tell  all  the 
occurrences  of  that  eventful  afternoon. 

Captain  Meredith:  "A  few  days  before  the  battle  of 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  while  the  regiment  was  advancing  in 
line,  Private  Matthias  Stuck  was  discovered  loitering  in 
the  rear  gathering  dewberries,  which  were  plenty,  ripe  and 
luscious.  I  spoke  to  him,  'Stuck,  what  are  you  doing 
there?  Step  up  to  your  place  in  the  ranks;  we  may  be 
engaged  directly.'  Stuck  arose  from  his  knees,  holding  his 
gun  with  his  left  hand;  he  had  been  gathering  berries  with 
his  right,  and  said,  with  a  salute,  Til  get  right  into  my 
place,  Captain.'  Just  then  a  stray  bullet  from  the  rebels 
whirred  along,  grazed  Stuck's  leg  between  knee  and  thigh, 
and  punctured  his  trousers.  'Golly,'  said  he.  'Look  at  that, 
Captain !'  'Yes,  I  see,  sir,'  I  replied.  'If  you  had  been  at 
your  place  in  the  ranks  you  wouldn't  have  got  that/ 
'That's  so,'  said  Stuck,  and  cheerfully  joined  his  company. 
Shortly  after  we  encountered  the  enemy's  fire  I  saw  Stuck 
holding  his  gun  in  his  left  hand,  using  it  as  a  cane,  while 
he  was  making  a  tourniquet  of  his  right.  There  was  a 
fearful  bullet  hole  in  his  leg.  'Yes,  I  see  that  you  are 
wounded,'  I  exclaimed,  as  the  soldier  approached.  'Get 
down  to  the  hill  in  the  rear  as  soon  as  you  can  and  be  cared 
for.'  But  the  soldier  continued  to  approach,  halted,  bowed 
and  said,  'I  just  -wanted  to  tell  you,  Cap,  that  if  I  had  been 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    143 

back  there  gathering  dewberries  I  wouldn't  have  got  this.' ' 
It  is  possible  that  the  shot  that  found  him  under  the  sassa 
fras  bush  would  have  missed  him  in  the  ranks. 

Those  who  have  read  the  "Red  Badge  of  Courage"  can 
easily  see  where  the  author  got  his  idea  of  a  battle,  not  in 
the  front  line,  but  in  the  rear.  The  hillside  and  valley  be 
hind  the  advancing  lines  were  alive  with  non-combatants, 
cowards,  cooks,  and  mules  laden  with  frying  pans,  rushing 
wildly  from  the  impending  storm.  Juniper,  the  cook  for 
Company  B,  was  a  powerful  negro.  He  could  take  a  barrel 
of  whisky  by  the  chines  and  drink  from  the  bung.  It  was 
amusing  to  hear  him  tell  how  his  long  legs  helped  him  to 
beat  the  Fourth  Corps  down  "dat  ar  hill.  No,  sir!  Didn't 
see  no  Seventieth  Rigement  boys  runnin'.  When  I  struck 
de  crick  I  runned  out  on  a  long  log  and  jumped,  but  went 
chock  in  de  mud  way  'bove  my  knees.  Didn't  have  no 
time  to  lif  one  foot  till  a  soger,  and  den  a  nigga,  lit  wif 
bof  feet  on  my  back,  and  went  a  flyen  to  de  shore.  Dar 
dis  chile  war  stuck  in  de  mud,  playen  leap-frog  wid  dat 
ar  whole  coah." 

J.  H.  Kelly:  "We  advanced  in  two  lines,  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Twenty-ninth  Illinois  in  our  front.  Just  as  the 
Seventieth  reached  the  top  of  a  low  ridge  and  the  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  a  small  ravine  in  our  front 
the  enemy  came  pouring  over  the  hill.  Both  regiments 
opened  fire,  the  one  In  front  from  the  ravine,  and  the 
Seventieth  from  its  more  exposed  position  on  the  ridge. 
The  rebel  lines  continued  to  advance  in  face  of  our  two 
lines  of  fire.  The  lay  of  the  ground  enabled  the  second 
line  to  fire  over  the  heads  of  the  first.  The  rebels  were 
losing  heavily,  and  began  to  halt,  waver,  kink  up,  and 
finally  break  for  the  rear.  Their  front  line  in  going  back 


144  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

broke  up  their  two  rear  lines;  so  there  was  a  complete  rout. 
In  the  morning  we  gathered  and  buried  sixty  rebel  dead  in 
a  space  the  length  of  our  regiment." 

An  officer  writes  home:  "As  twilight  crept  slowly  over 
the  scene,  the  hideous  clamor  of  battle  ceased,  and  a  won 
drous  quiet  took  possession  of  the  hillside.  Men  in  low 
tones  inquired  of  the  wounded  and  spoke  of  the  dead.  In 
every  heart  was  a  strange  conflict,  exultation  over  the  vic 
tory  and  grief  over  the  fallen.  I  had  been  in  charge  of 
the  pickets  of  our  division  the  day  and  night  before,  and 
now  'gentle  sleep,  nature's  soft  nurse,  was  frighted  and 
would  not  steep  my  senses  in  forgetfulness.'  All  night 
long  I  sat  on  an  ammunition  box  looking  out  toward 
Atlanta,  so  near  and  yet  so  far,  or  up  to  the  stars,  chilled 
by  the  unpitying  way  they  held  themselves  aloof  from  the 
awful  suffering  beneath.  In  long  lines  on  either  side  of 
me  lay  the  exhausted  heroes  wrapped  in  their  blankets, 
but  clinging  to  their  rifles.  In  the  solemn  stillness  of  mid 
night,  questions  never  answered  came  with  overwhelming 
power.  Why  are  men  forever  clashing  themselves  against 
and  over  the  breastworks  that  separate  life  from  death? 
Why  should  these  youthful  sleepers,  many  of  whom,  with 
all  their  manliness,  have  not  yet  entered  on  manhood,  fling 
all  away  and  rush  into  the  unknown?  Why,  amid  death 
scenes  that  should  be  terrifying,  and  carnage  that  is  re 
volting,  is  one  lifted  up  into  a  thrilling  consciousness  of 
immortality?  Mystery  of  mysteries,  all  is  mystery." 

Color  Sergeant  Frank  H.  Huron:  "As  soon  as  the  dark 
ness  stopped  the  firing,  I  took  my  canteen  and  those 
of  two  dead  men  lying  beside  me,  and  filling  them  from 
the  little  brook  in  our  rear,  went  to  the  wounded  rebels  in 
our  immediate  front,  who  were  crying  for  water.  After 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    145 

a  few  trips  I  found  myself  perhaps  two  hundred  yards  in 
advance  of  our  line,  giving  water  to  one  whose  feeble  cry 
had  drawn  me  to  him.  While  he  was  drinking  I  heard  the 
click  of  a  musket,  and  turning  quickly,  saw  by  the  starlight 
a  man  not  twenty  feet  away,  half  hidden  in  a  ditch  washed 
out  by  the  rains,  with  bayonet  fixed  and  gun  leveled  at  me. 
To  say  that  I  abhorred  a  man  who  would  shoot  another 
while  he  was  giving  water  to  his  wounded  comrades  is 
putting  it  too  mildly.  I  wanted  to  kill  him  so  bad  that 
I  could  taste  it,  but  just  then  a  faint  voice  behind  him 
called,  Tor  God's  sake,  somebody  give  me  a  drink  of 
water/  and  my  decision  was  made  in  a  moment.  I  would 
go  to  the  man  who  was  ready  to  shoot  me,  as  if  he  were 
the  one  who  was  calling,  give  him  a  canteen,  and  while  he 
was  drinking,  would  snatch  his  gun,  whirl  it  round,  and  if 
he  didn't  surrender,  bayonet  him  before  he  could  dodge. 
He  left  his  bayonet  pointing  toward  me  until  I  was  almost 
against  it,  then  drew  it  to  one  side,  when  I  saw  there  were 
two  others  beside  him  squatted  down  in  the  ditch  with 
guns  in  their  hands  and  bayonets  fixed,  and  I  knew  they 
intended  to  take  me  in.  One  canteen  was  empty,  so  I 
could  not  get  the  three  drinking  at  once,  but  I  handed 
them  the  two  containing  some  water,  thinking  one  of  them 
at  least  would  lose  his  gun  while  drinking,  and  if  they  killed 
me  I  would  first  get  one  or  more  of  them.  Death  was 
better  than  Andersonville.  But  they  began  drinking,  hold 
ing  their  guns  on  the  other  side  of  the  ditch,  with  the  third 
man  watching.  Just  then  the  weak  voice  behind  them 
called  again,  'Oh,  for  one  drink  of  water,  water,  water!'  I 
called  to  him  I  would  bring  him  some,  and  asked  them  not 
to  drink  it  all,  and  I  would  bring  them  some  more  (but  I 
didn't  intend  to  do  it).  They  left  a  little  in  one  canteen, 


146  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

and  I  went  past  them  to  the  other  man,  thinking  to  get  his 
gun,  but  he  had  none  in  sight.    Then  I  decided  to  make 
a  zig-zag  run  for  our  line  and  risk  them  hitting  me,  but  as 
the  man  drained  the  last  drop  and  begged  for  more,  I 
promised  to  return  as  soon  as  I  could  fill  the  canteens,  and 
started  back  past  them,  thinking  it  safer  to  make  them 
believe  I  was  coming  back  with  more  water  than  to  run. 
"Just  as  I  got  to  them  an  impulse  seized  me  to  take  them 
in.     So  I  began  telling  them,  if  they  were  not  too  badly 
wounded,  I  could  help  them  in  to  our  surgeons,  who  would 
take  as  much  pains  with  them  as  with  our  own  soldiers; 
and  of  our  hospital  supplies,  especially  the  good  eating, 
and  the  women  nurses,  and  the  splendid  barracks  and  good 
living  they  would  have  after  leaving  the  hospital,  or  the 
immediate  freedom  if  they  wanted  to  take  the  oath  and 
quit  fighting;  that  everything  was  so  plenty  in  the  North 
we  could  take  the  best  care  of  them,  and  as  their  comrades 
knew  they  were  wounded  they  would  of  course  expect 
them  to  be  captured,  and  it  would  be  perfectly  honorable 
for  them  to  go  where  they  could  be  best  cared  for.     I 
pledged  them  all  this  on  the  honor  of  a  soldier,  but  was 
getting  uneasy,  wondering  what  to  say  more,  when  one 
of  them  blurted  out,  'What  do  you  say,  boys?'  and  another 
answered,  'Darned  if  I  care/  and  I  instantly  took  hold  of 
their  guns,  pulling  them  as  though  it  was  understood  that 
I  should  have  them,  and  they  let  go.     I  pitched  one  gun 
behind  me  and  took  the  gun  from  the  other  man  before 
he  had  time  to  protest,  and  remarking  that  I  would  carry 
the  guns  and  they  could  help  each  other,  I  took  a  step 
toward  our  lines,  and  all  three  of  them  climbed  out  of  their 
ditch  and  walked  with  me,  saying  just  before  we  got  to 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    147 

where  the  surgeons  were  sawing  off  arms  and  legs,  'that 
they  didn't  need  any  doctors.'  ' 

It  was  often  the  painful  duty  of  an  officer  to  announce 
sad  tidings  to  relatives,  or  to  transmit  to  them  information 
additional  to  the  dreadful  news  already  harshly  proclaimed 
by  the  telegraph.  The  following  letter  tells  its  own  mourn 
ful  story: 

Headquarters  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Twentieth  Army 

Corps. 

In  the  trenches  before  Atlanta. 
Malcolm  A.  Lowes,  Esq.: 

My  Dear  Sir — Your  son  was  interred  with  all  care  possible 
in  a  box  of  heavy  dressed  lumber  found  in  a  mill  near  the 
battlefield,  and  the  place  of  his  burial  can  easily  be  identified 
should  you  desire  at  any  time  to  disinter  his  remains.  I  trust 
you  will  permit  me  to  tender  you,  his  bereaved  parents,  and 
to  the  young  wife,  whose  widowhood  has  followed  so  soon 
upon  her  bridal,  my  heartfelt  sympathy  in  the  heavy  grief 
which  has  fallen  upon  you.  Your  son's  courage  and  enthus 
iasm  led  him  into  the  fight  when  his  condition  of  health  might 
well  have  excused  his  remaining  in  the  rear.  The  only  sources 
of  consolation  to  which  I  can  direct  you  are  the  promises  of 
God  to  the  afflicted,  and  the  fact  that  your  son  fell  bravely 
fighting  for  the  country  and  government  of  Washington  and 
the  Fathers. 

I  am,  sir,  very  truly  yours, 

BENJ.  HARRISON. 

Rarely  is  it  that  the  joy  that  accompanies  successful 
conflict  is  not  followed  by  profoundest  grief.  Thoughts 
of  the  courage  and  loyalty  of  those,  who  in  their  death 
gave  the  full  measure  of  patriotic  devotion,  for  the  time 
at  least,  envelope  all  hearts  in  the  deepest  gloom.  The 
inspiration  that  comes  from  contemplation  of  their  lofty 
heroism  is  not  for  the  present,  but  for  the  future,  when 


148  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

the  awful  sacrifice  has  been  glorified  by  the  lapse  of  years. 
It  was  animating  to  see  young  life  expanding  as  duties 
were  discharged,  difficulties  overcome,  hardships  en 
dured,  sickness  disregarded,  and  death  confronted.  But 
just  as  the  boy  stood  on  the  threshold  of  manhood,  prom 
ising  everything  glorious  to  home  and  country,  to  one 
seeing  him  cold,  dead,  gone  forever,  there  could  be  no 
words,  or  if  any,  only  Burke's  cry,  "What  shadows  we  are; 
what  shadows  we  pursue." 

An  officer  writes:  "You  can't  tell  anything  about  a 
man  until  he  is  tried.  There  was  in  our  regiment  a  long, 
loose,  gawky,  simple  fellow,  just  filling  the  idea  some  peo 
ple  have  of  a  Hoosier,  who  was  astonishingly  changed  by 
the  thunder  and  blood  of  Resaca.  He  was  a  new  man.  His 
eyes  were  bright.  His  face  was  thoughtful.  He  even 
moved  with  a  manliness  you  might  call  dignity.  He  con 
tinued  to  improve  and  develop  until  he  fell  before  Atlanta. 
I  venture  to  say  that  man  lived  more  in  his  last  three 
months  than  in  all  the  twenty  preceding  years.  I've  seen 
others  fine  at  talking,  good  at  understanding,  right  enough 
in  feeling  perhaps,  lose  command  of  themselves  and  slink 
to  the  rear,  to  be  ordered  with  scorn  and  curses  to  the 
picket  line  in  front." 

One  who  fell  in  this  battle,  James  C.  Spaulding,  can 
stand  for  many  that  might  be  mentioned,  did  space  permit, 
who  quietly  did  their  duty  and  gave  their  lives  for  their 
country.  The  advantages  his  widowed  mother  was  able 
to  give  him  before  he  entered  the  army  were  but  few,  so 
he  was  known  only  as  a  private  in  the  rear  rank.  The 
thought  of  ever  attaining  the  position  even  of  corporal 
seemed  not  to  have  entered  his  mind.  His  voice  was  sel 
dom  heard  except  at  roll  call,  or  in  halting  one  who  ap- 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    149 

preached  his  post.  But  nothing  kept  the  stripling  from 
his  allotted  work,  and  at  last,  in  the  roar  of  battle,  his 
comrades  found  that  the  boy  had  become  a  man  and  the 
man  a  hero.  Truly  the  Union  was  bought  with  a  great 
price,  for  the  men  who  are  moving  heaven  and  earth  for 
position  are  plentiful,  but  many  an  ingenuous  lad  who  for 
got  himself  in  devotion  to  duty  sleeps  on  the  hillsides  of 
Georgia,  and  the  country  is  the  poorer  for  his  loss. 

U.  H.  Farr:  'The  next  morning  after  the  battle  the 
rebel  dead  were  buried  in  trenches  about  six  feet  wide  and 
twenty  feet  long.  During  the  day  General  Hooker,  accom 
panied  by  his  staff,  rode  down  the  line  from  left  to  right 
to  congratulate  the  men  on  the  result  of  the  battle.  He 
had  not  proceeded  far  when  he  was  shown  a  captured 
battle  flag,  and  in  complimenting  the  exhibitors  he  took 
off  his  hat  and  bowed  his  head.  Putting  it  on  again  he 
started  forward,  but  had  not  gone  far  till  another  flag  was 
shown  him,  and  as  every  few  steps  a  captured  flag  was 
brought  to  view,  he  concluded  it  was  not  worth  while  to 
wear  his  hat,  so  he  held  it  in  his  hand  and  rode  slowly 
down  the  line  of  works,  bestowing  praises  amid  the  men, 
who  made  his  passage  a  triumphal  procession." 

J.  H.  Kelly:  "General  Hooker  resigned  command  of 
the  Twentieth  Army  Corps,  and  as  he  rode  along  the  line 
taking  leave  of  the  officers  and  men,  a  mortally  wounded 
rebel  soldier  heard  the  men  cheering  and  inquired  what 
it  meant.  He  was  told  Hooker  was  coming.  He  requested 
some  one  to  raise  him  up  to  see  him  go  by,  for  he  had 
heard  so  much  about  him  and  wanted  to  see  him  before 
he  died." 

J.  L.  Ketcham,  July  twenty-first :  "We  had  a  glorious 
fight  yesterday.  I  don't  know  the  results  of  the  whole 


150  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

fight,  but  our  division  repulsed  the  rebels  and  threw  up 
works  on  the  battlefield,  where  they  lay  killed  and  wounded, 
five  to  our  one,  that  I  know. 

"At  midnight  we  were  ordered  to  get  ready,  and  at 
daybreak  we  pushed  forward.  Halted  at  noon  in  a  corn 
field  and  ate  a  cracker  for  dinner — the  sun  so  terribly  hot. 
Our  division  was  so  fortunate  this  time  as  to  have  an  open 
field.  The  Fourth  Corps,  on  our  left,  and  the  other  divi 
sions  of  our  corps  had  woods  to  fight  in.  We  were  soon 
in  line  of  battle,  and  waited  for  orders  in  the  hot  sun.  The 
battle  began  at  four  o'clock  and  lasted  until  after  dark. 
It  began  on  the  Fourth  Corps;  they  were  a  little  in  advance 
of  the  line  and  had  all  their  non-combatants  with  them. 
Of  all  the  skedaddling,  running  and  confusion!  I  never 
saw  the  beat!  It  amused  us  at  first,  but  when  the  firing 
began  on  our  line  amusement  sobered  into  alarm.  Then 
the  hot  work  began  on  the  left.  Both  right  and  left  sent 
to  Hooker  for  reinforcements.  All  the  answer  they  got 
was,  'Forward!'  'Fighting  Joe'  had  his  bodyguard  (so 
I  hear  from  Colonel  Harrison)  draw  their  sabers  and  push 
forward  the  skulking  parties  of  those  who  asked  for  rein 
forcements.  At  this  moment  we  advanced.  On  we  moved 
in  steady  line;  we  couldn't  see  the  rebs  yet.  'Colonel 
Merrill  will  take  that  cedar  knoll.'  When  we  reached  the 
top  our  lines  weren't  in  so  good  a  shape — the  lines  of  our 
division  I  mean.  But  no  wonder.  Some  regiments  had 
a  steep  hill  to  climb,  to  pass  through  a  cornfield,  through 
thickets,  blackberry  bushes,  to  cross  a  creek  and  a  deep 
gutter,  all  of  which  our  regiment  did  before  we  at  last 
reached  the  top  of  the  cedar  knoll.  And  there  were  the 
Johnny  rebs  on  a  ridge  just  opposite  us  advancing  on  us. 
The  thickets,  blackberry  bushes  and  small  but  deep 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    151 

ravines  offered  a  good  place  for  skulkers.  One  little  cuss 
stopped  and  commenced  picking  blackberries.  A  regi 
ment  on  our  right  had  nice  ground  to  advance  on  and 
was  ahead ;  the  lieutenant-colonel  and  a  rebel  colonel  were 
in  a  hand-to-hand  fight  for  a  rebel  flag;  but,  strange  to 
say,  the  rebel  colonel  got  away,  limping.  Some  of  our 
regiment,  tired  or  excited,  stopped  on  the  cedar  hill  and 
commenced  firing.  Others  were  in  the  ravine  in  front  and 
starting  up  the  slope  to  meet  the  rebels.  Now!  who  would 
win?  The  rebels  advancing,  some  of  our  men  faltering. 
We  had  nothing  to  fall  back  on  but  a  muddy  creek  we 
had  taken  several  hours  in  crossing  on  one  small  bridge. 
Had  we  broken  how  terrible  would  have  been  the 
slaughter — our  men  killing  their  comrades  and  themselves 
in  trying  to  cross  the  creek!  There  was  a  desperate  attack 
on  our  batteries  on  the  right  and  left.  Colonel  Harrison's 
adjutant  came  flying  along  the  lines  and  shouting,  Tor- 
ward!  They  are  driving  us  on  the  right  and  left!' 

"But  our  artillery  helps  us.  Canister  shot  is  fired  into 
them  from  the  woods  on  our  right,  and  we  give  them  a 
volley.  They  halt,  waver,  He  down.  Hurrah!  They  break 
and  run.  Our  boys  take  steadier  aim  now  and  advance 
with  enthusiasm.  They  don't  retreat  without  giving  us 
several  volleys.  We  gain  their  hill,  passing  over  their  killed 
and  wounded,  and  lie  down  behind  some  fence  rails  the 
skirmishers  have  thrown  up  and  fire  into  them,  retreating. 
They  made  several  attempts  to  rally  and  recross  the  open 
field,  but  without  success.  I  got  a  gun  from  a  wounded 
man,  pocketed  some  cartridges  and  caps,  and  had  several 
shots.  We  were  at  work  nearly  all  night  throwing  up 
earthworks.  We  didn't  suffer  as  much  as  we  did  at 
Resaca — other  regiments,  though,  a  great  deal  more.  Our 


152  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

loss  was  five  killed  and  twenty-seven  wounded.  Captain 
Matlock  and  Lieutenant  Reed  were  wounded.  Englehart 
was  wounded  and  Spaulding  killed.  Lieutenant  Lowes  was 
killed.  He  was  sick  and  ought  to  have  been  in  hospital, 
but  he  wouldn't  stay  behind.  It  is  impossible  to  describe 
a  battle  correctly.  Every  one  has  a  different  story  to  tell. 
Some  had  very  narrow  escapes.  Captain  Carson  had  three 
bullet  holes  in  his  hat.  Colonel  Merrill  had  a  bullet  pass 
through  his  coat  sleeve.  I  didn't  get  a  scratch.  No  one 
knows  how  many  narrow  escapes  he  has  in  battle.  It  was 
a  sad,  sad  sight  to  see  the  dead  and  dying  on  the  battle 
field.  The  rebel  wounded  couldn't  all  be  taken  off  till 
morning.  They  lay  from  four  o'clock  in  the  hot  sun.  One 
poor  fellow  prayed  for  help;  another,  too  far  gone  to  pray 
for  help  from  us,  I  heard  uttering  his  last  prayer.  He  was 
dead  this  morning. 

"General  Ward  is  proud  of  his  old  brigade.  He  rides  a 
large,  splendid  looking  horse,  and  is  of  pretty  good  size 
himself.  When  excited  he  pulls  at  his  tremendous  gloves. 
He  was  greatly  excited  when  we  commenced  driving  the 
rebels,  and  jerking  first  at  one  glove,  then  the  other,  he 
called  out  to  his  aid,  Lieutenant  Harryman  of  our  regi 
ment,  'Ha'yman,  Ha'yman,  come  hea'.  Look  how  the 
Fust  Brigade,  my  old  brigade,  goes  in!'  Some  one  tells 
a  good  story  of  General  Thomas.  He  was  standing  on  a 
hill  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek.  He  is  always  work 
ing  at  his  short,  thick  whiskers.  When  satisfied  he 
smooths  them  down,  when  troubled  he  works  them  all  out 
of  shape.  The  rebels  were  advancing  on  us  and  we  on 
them;  we  met  in  a  hollow  between  the  cedar  knoll  and 
the  hill  we  afterwards  occupied.  The  general  could  see 
neither  party,  and  it  was  at  that  moment,  when  our  right 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    153 

and  left,  fighting  in  the  woods,  seemed  ready  to  give  way, 
he  had  his  whiskers  all  out  of  shape.  He  gave  orders  to 
his  bodyguard  to  hold  the  bridge  across  Peach  Tree  Creek 
and  cut  down  any  armed  soldier  who  attempted  to  cross. 
But  when  he  saw  the  rebels  running,  with  us  after  them, 
he  took  off  his  hat  and  slung  it  on  the  ground  and  shouted, 
'Hurrah!  Look  at  the  Third  Division.  They're  driving 
them!'  His  whiskers  were  soon  in  good  shape  again.  I 
ca.i  hardly  understand  why  the  rebels  lost  so  many.  They 
had  a  long  way  to  charge,  but  it  was  a  fair,  open  field  fight. 
The  most  of  them  were  shot  after  they  started  to  run." 

Maj.-Gen.  H.  W.  Slocum,  in  his  report  made  September 
29,  1864,  mentions  two  infantry  swords  and  scabbards  cap 
tured  July  twentieth  by  Lieut.  Charles  H.  Cox  of  Company 
E  and  Private  George  C.  Thompson  of  Company  G.  An 
other  was  captured  by  Private  W.  A.  Miller  of  Company 
B  and  turned  over  to  the  proper  authorities,  but  seems 
to  have  escaped  attention. 

Headquarters  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Twentieth  Corps. 

Before  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  I2th,  1864. 

Captain— I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report 
of  the  part  taken  by  my  brigade  in  the  battle  of  the  2Oth  of 
July  (Peach  Tree  Creek):  After  crossing  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
on  the  morning  of  the  2Oth,  the  division  was  massed  in  a  corn 
field  in  the  rear  of  Newton's  division  of  the  Fourth  Army 
Corps,  and  while  in  this  position  skirmishers  were  pushed 
down  the  creek  to  connect  with  those  of  the  second  division 
of  our  corps,  and  then  advanced  to  a  point  near  the  crest  of 
a  large  hill  in  an  open  field,  which  intervened  between  the 
right  of  General  Newton's  division  and  the  left  of  General 
Geary's.  I  was  then  ordered  to  move  my  brigade  down  the 
valley  of  the  creek,  and  to  form  in  line  at  the  foot  of  the  hill 
referred  to,  connecting  my  left  with  the  Second  Brigade  of 


154  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

this  division  (Colonel  Coburn's)  and  my  right  with  the  left 
of  General  Geary's  division.  On  arriving  at  the  point  indi 
cated,  I  found  that  General  Geary  had  already  occupied  the 
crest  of  the  hill  to  which  I  have  before  referred,  and  that  his 
left  was  resting  in  the  edge  of  the  timber  bordering  on  a  corn 
field,  where  he  had  some  artillery  in  position.  At  this  point, 
the  whole  field,  which  afterward  became  the  battle  ground, 
could  be  overlooked,  though  the  crest  just  here  was  not  so 
far  advanced  as  that  portion  of  the  ridge  afterward  occupied 
by  this  division.  The  view  of  the  ground  thus  obtained  en 
abled  me  to  direct  the  movements  of  my  brigade  in  the  action 
which  followed  with  much  greater  certainty  and  success  than 
I  could  otherwise  have  done.  When  Colonel  Coburn's  bri 
gade  was  formed  and  his  right  established,  I  found  that  I 
could  only  have  room  enough  for  one  regiment  in  the  interval 
between  his  right  and  General  Geary's  left,  and  reported  this 
fact  to  the  division  commander,  when  each  of  the  other  bri 
gade  commanders  were  ordered  to  throw  one  regiment  on  a 
second  line  and  to  close  to  the  left  so  as  to  enable  me  to 
bring  into  the  first  line  two  more  regiments.  This  change  was 
at  once  executed,  and  my  brigade  was  then  formed  in  the  fol 
lowing  order,  viz:  In  the  first  line,  on  the  right,  the  One 
Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  Captain 
Wilson  commanding;  in  the  center  the  Seventy-ninth  Ohio, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Doane,  commanding,  and  on  the  left 
the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  Illinois  Volun 
teer  Infantry,  Colonel  Case  commanding.  In  the  sec 
ond  line,  on  the  right,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth 
Illinois,  Major  Button  commanding,  and  on  the  left, 
the  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Merrill  commanding.  After  these  dispositions  had  been  made 
the  troops  were  permitted  to  rest  until  the  residue  of  the  line 
should  be  in  readiness  for  the  attack,  which  it  was  intended  to 
make  upon  the  enemy's  lines.  In  front  of  my  two  regiments 
of  the  front  line  on  the  right  there  was  quite  a  steep  bluff, 
at  the  top  of  which  there  was  a  level  field  cultivated  in  corn 
some  four  hundred  yards  across,  and  beyond  which  the  ground 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    155 

again  sloped  down  toward  the  bed  of  a  small  creek.  Between 
these  two  regiments  and  the  left  regiment  of  the  front  line,  a 
small  stream  ran  from  the  southwest  upon  which,  about  three 
hundred  yards  from  where  we  lay,  was  a  grist  mill.  On  the 
left  of  this  creek  immediately  in  front  of  our  lines,  was  a  low 
ridge  covered  with  small  pines,  and  still  beyond  this  and  a 
ravine  which  intervened,  was  a  high  cleared  ridge,  which  was 
the  line  finally  occupied  by  our  troops.  This  ridge  was  the 
key  point  to  the  whole  position.  If  held  by  the  enemy,  we 
should  have  been  forced  to  retire  beyond  Peach  Tree  Creek. 
At  this  time  I  received  orders  to  relieve  the  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-sixth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry,  then  covering  my 
front  as  skirmishers,  by  a  detail  from  my  brigade  when  the 
advance  should  commence.  One  hundred  men,  chiefly  Spencer 
riflemen,  from  the  Seventy-ninth  Ohio  and  One  Hundred 
and  Second  Illinois  Volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Cap 
tain  Williamson,  Seventy-ninth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  were 
detailed  for  this  duty  and  held  in  readiness  to  advance  when 
orders  should  be  received.  While  thus  formed  and  waiting 
I  met  Colonel  Coburn,  commanding  Second  Brigade,  who  in 
formed  me  that  his  skirmishers  reported  the  enemy  advancing 
to  attack  us,  and  suggested  that  our  line  ought  to  be  advanced 
to  the  crest  of  the  small  ridge  which  extended  itself  in  front 
of  his  line  and  a  portion  of  the  left  of  my  brigade.  I  con 
curred  in  this  suggestion  and  Colonel  Coburn  immediately 
went  to  submit  the  matter  to  the  Brigadier  General  command 
ing  the  division,  and  very  soon  afterward  I  received  an  order 
in  case  the  enemy  advanced  to  move  forward  to  the  crest  of 
the  ridge  mentioned.  Very  soon  afterward,  I  saw  from  the 
high  ground  where  the  left  of  the  second  division  rested,  the 
enemy's  advance  push  out  of  the  woods  and  press  rapidly  to 
wards  us.  I  at  once  ordered  my  brigade  to  advance  to  the 
crest  of  the  small  ridge  in  our  front  and  there  to  halt,  which 
was  speedily  accomplished.  Returning  to  my  post  of  obser 
vation,  I  watched  the  enemy's  advance  over  the  crest  of  the 
higher  ridge  in  our  front  and  down  its  slope  toward  us,  until 
their  lines  were  scarcely  separated  by  a  distance  of  one  hun- 


156  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

dred  yards  from  ours.  During  this  advance  the  artillery  on 
the  left  of  the  second  division  had  been  pouring  into  the 
enemy  quite  a  destructive  fire  of  case-shot  and  shell,  and  the 
skirmishers  on  my  front,  re-enforced  by  the  detail  of  one  hun 
dred  Spencer  rifles,  which  I  ordered  forward  at  the  beginning 
of  the  attack,  were  punishing  the  enemy  severely.  This,  to 
gether  with  the  long  distance  the  enemy  had  charged  over  on 
the  double-quick  had  broken  his  front  line  to  some  extent, 
and  I  could  observe  many  of  his  men  lying  down  and  a  few 
even  turning  back,  while  the  officers,  with  drawn  swords,  were 
trying  to  steady  their  lines  and  push  them  forward.  Believing 
it  to  be  of  vital  importance  to  strike  a  counter  blow  before  the 
rear  lines  of  the  enemy  came  up,  and  while  his  advance  was  in 
disorder,  and  to  secure  the  high  ridge  in  our  front,  I  sent 
Captain  Dunlevy,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  to  order 
my  three  regiments  on  the  left  of  a  small  creek  which  inter 
sected  my  line,  to  advance  and  attack  the  enemy  vigorously 
while  at  the  same  time  I  brought  forward  the  two  right  regi 
ments  to  the  farther  slope  of  the  hill,  which  at  this  point  had 
not  been  passed  by  the  enemy,  in  order  to  cover  the  left  of 
General  Geary's  line  and  to  connect  with  my  left  when  it 
should  push  the  enemy  back  over  the  crest.  The  order  borne 
by  Captain  Dunlevy  was  promptly  and  vigorously  executed 
by  the  regiments  on  the  left.  Our  advance,  though  desper 
ately  resisted  by  the  enemy,  was  steady  and  unfaltering;  the 
fighting  was  hand  to  hand,  and  step  by  step;  the  enemy  was 
pushed  back  over  the  crest  in  our  front  and  the  key  point  of 
the  battle  won.  When  this  advance  was  ordered,  the  two  regi 
ments  in  my  second  line,  the  Seventieth  Indiana  and  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  were  obliqued 
to  the  left,  in  order  to  extend  my  line  and  cover  that  flank, 
and  came  up  into  the  first  line.  My  line,  though  thus  ex 
tended,  was  still  uncovered  on  the  left  and  the  enemy  for  a 
time  were  on  my  flank  and  rear.  Captain  Dunlevy  reported 
to  me  that  my  left  regiment,  the  Seventieth  Indiana,  would 
certainly  be  cut  off  if  its  left  was  not  refused.  He  said  he 
suggested  this  to  Captain  H.  M.  Endsley,  commanding  the 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    157 

left  wing  of  the  regiment,  but  that  grizzly  old  veteran  had 
only  stopped  to  say,  "I  can't  see  it,"  and  he  pushed  on  for  the 
enemy  in  his  front.  This  danger  was  soon  removed,  as  I  was 
sure  it  would  be  by  the  splendid  advance  of  Colonel  Coburn's 
brigade,  which,  after  fighting  its  way  desperately  to  the  top 
of  the  hill,  connected  with  me  on  the  left.  After  reaching  the 
crest  the  line  was  halted,  as  a  farther  advance  would  have  ex 
posed  both  flanks,  but  the  battle  was  continued  for  above  two 
hours,  with  the  enemy  on  the  farther  slope,  who  was  endeav 
oring  to  reform  for  another  attack.  The  destructive  fire  we 
continued  to  pour  into  him  finally  compelled  him  to  retire, 
broken  and  thoroughly  whipped,  to  his  rifle  pits,  which  were 
observable  from  this  point  in  the  woods  beyond.  The  two 
regiments  on  my  right,  though  not  engaged  at  such  close 
quarters  as  those  on  the  left  of  the  creek,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  the  marshy  bed  of  the  creek,  which  turned  to  the  west 
along  their  front,  prevented  the  enemy  from  pushing  up  to 
close  quarters,  did  quite  as  good  service,  and  suffered  rather 
more  severely  than  those  on  the  left.  Their  fire,  which  was 
chiefly  oblique,  was  delivered  with  coolness  and  was  very  de 
structive.  The  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois,  on  the 
right,  poured  its  fire  by  a  right  oblique  into  the  columns  of 
the  enemy,  who  were  pressing  General  Geary's  front,  and 
aided  very  essentially  in  supporting  General  Geary's  battery, 
which  was  at  one  time  very  near  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  The  Seventy-ninth  Ohio,  next  to  this  regiment  on 
the  left,  delivered  a  left  oblique  fire,  which  very  essentially 
aided  the  line  on  the  left  of  the  creek  near  the  mill,  at  which 
point  the  enemy  was  pressing  in  heavy  force.  While  the  bat 
tle  was  at  its  height,  I  observed  some  of  the  artillery  of  General 
Geary's  division  on  my  immediate  front,  retiring  toward  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  in  the  rear  of  our  division,  and  inquiring  of  the 
officer  in  charge,  was  told  that  the  right  of  the  second  division 
had  been  broken,  and  that  he  was  trying  to  retire  his  battery 
a  section  at  a  time.  While  I  was  conversing  with  him  the 
situation  was  made  more  apparent  to  me  by  a  heavy  fire  of 
musketry  being  poured  into  the  field  where  we  stood  from  the 


158  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

rear.  A  moment's  reflection  satisfied  me  that  whatever  other 
portions  of  the  line  might  do,  we  must  hold  our  line  and  fight 
where  we  were.  The  creek  (Peach  Tree)  in  our  rear  at  this 
place,  ten  feet  deep,  with  very  miry  banks  and  bed,  had  not 
been  bridged,  and  to  attempt  to  cross  it  would  have  been  utter 
destruction.  Concealing  the  situation  (which  was  rendered 
more  critical  by  a  temporary  giving  way  of  Newton's  division 
on  our  left)  from  my  officers  and  men,  we  continued  the  fight, 
trusting  to  the  brave  troops  on  our  right  to  recover  their 
ground.  While  this  danger  was  most  apparent  a  staff  officer, 
who  is  still  unknown,  but  supposed  to  be  from  some  command 
on  our  right,  came  to  Captain  Wilson,  commanding  One  Hun 
dred  and  Second  Illinois,  and  told  him  if  he  did  not  retire  his 
regiment,  it  would  certainly  be  cut  off.  The  Captain  very 
coolly  replied  that  his  regiment  had  been  placed  there  by  me 
and  should  stay  there  until  I  ordered  it  away.  As  the  fire 
slackened,  rails  were  gathered  and  a  temporary  breastwork 
thrown  up,  which,  after  night,  was  strengthened  and  made 
secure.  At  one  time  during  the  fight  our  ammunition  began 
to  get  low  and  considerable  uneasiness  was  felt  lest  it  might 
be  exhausted.  I  at  once  dispatched  Lieutenant  Mitchell, 
aide-de-camp,  to  have  a  supply  brought  up,  while  Captain 
Scott,  Acting  Assistant  Inspector  General,  and  others  busied 
themselves  in  cutting  the  cartridge  boxes  from  the  rebel  dead 
within  our  lines  and  distributing  them  to  the  men.  The  enemy 
in  my  front  greatly  outnumbered  me,  three  distinct  lines  of 
battle  being  discernible  as  he  advanced,  while  my  brigade 
from  the  first  fought  in  a  single  line.  The  enemy's  dead  to  the 
number  of  150  were  left  within  our  lines  and  buried  by  us, 
while  several  hundred  others  were  seen  upon  the  open  field 
between  the  lines,  but  couldn't  be  reached  for  burial.  Among 
the  dead  buried  were  one  Lieutenant  Colonel,  two  Majors, 
two  Captains  and  three  Lieutenants.  We  took  155  prisoners, 
as  near  as  the  number  can  be  arrived  at,  of  whom  ten  were 
commissioned  officers,  two  stand  of  colors  and  200  stand  of 
small  arms  were  also  captured.  The  loss  sustained  by  my 
brigade  was  very  light  compared  with  that  of  the  enemy,  ow- 


THE  BATTLE  OF  PEACH  TREE  CREEK    159 

ing  to  the  fact,  as  I  believe,  that  the  enemy,  having  the  higher 
ground,  fired  too  high.  The  following  is  a  brief  summary  of 
my  loss:  Killed,  one  commissioned  officer  (Lieutenant 
Lowes,  Seventieth  Indiana),  thirty-one  enlisted  men. 
Wounded,  five  commissioned  officers,  144  enlisted  men;  total, 
181. 

I  desire  before  closing  this  report  to  speak  of  the  bravery 
and  soldierly  conduct  displayed  by  the  officers  and  men  of  my 
command.  The  advance  was  so  fierce,  steady  and  well  sus 
tained  that  nothing  could  withstand  it,  and  was  only  equaled 
by  the  firmness  with  which  having  gained  the  ridge,  they  held 
it  against  all  the  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  repossess  it.  Cap 
tain  Wilson,  commanding  the  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illi 
nois  Volunteer  Infantry,  though  unused  to  regimental  com 
mand,  managed  the  regiment  with  marked  skill  and  deserves 
special  mention.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Doone,  Seventy-ninth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  though  quite  ill,  led  his  regiment 
into  action,  and  with  the  assistance  of  Captain  Samuel  West, 
a  young  officer  of  great  merit,  handled  it  with  great  effective 
ness.  Of  Colonel  Case,  Major  Button  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Merrill  and  the  other  field  officers  of  their  respective  regi 
ments,  I  need  only  to  say  that  they  bore  themselves  as  they 
have  ever  done  during  the  campaign,  with  conspicuous  cour 
age.  To  the  officers  of  my  staff — Captain  H.  M.  Scott,  Act 
ing  Assistant  Inspector  General ;  Captain  Dunlevy,  Acting 
Assistant  Adjutant-General ;  Lieutenants  McKnight  and 
Mitchell,  Aides-de-Camp,  and  Lieutenant  Merritt,  Provost 
Marshal — I  must  express  my  thanks  for  the  courage  with 
which  they  bore  my  orders  on  the  field,  amid  storm  of  shot, 
and  the  active  intelligence  with  which  they  assisted  in  their 
execution.  The  reports  of  my  regimental  commanders  are 
sent  herewith. 

I  am,  Captain,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

BENJAMIN  HARRISON, 
Colonel  commanding  First  Brigade. 
Captain  John  Speed, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


CHAPTER  X. 
CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA 

U.  H.  Farr:  "On  the  twenty-second  of  July  we  moved 
forward  and  to  the  left  in  close  proximity  to  the  strong 
defenses  of  Atlanta,  and  were  welcomed  with  a  terrific 
fire  of  artillery  and  a  stubborn  resistance  on  the  part  of  the 
rebel  skirmishers.  The  crash  of  cannon  in  our  front  and 
the  exploding  shells  among  us  prevented  our  hearing  the 
fearful  battle  on  the  left,  in  which  McPherson  was  killed. 

"On  the  twenty-eighth,  hearing  heavy  firing,  our  brigade 
left  its  works,  to  be  filled  by  other  troops,  and  hurried, 
double-quicking  almost  a  mile,  toward  the  sound  of  the 
battle  to  reinforce  those  who  were  engaged.  However, 
the  rebels,  after  making  seven  desperate  assaults  on  How 
ard's  corps,  retired,  and  we  were  sent  to  the  extreme  right 
of  the  army,  where  we  were  joined  the  following  day  by 
Coburn's  brigade,  which  was  placed  still  farther  to  the 
right,  but  refused  to  the  rear." 

An  officer  writes:  "July  thirtieth,  Saturday.— The  Con 
federates  appear  to  us  entirely  heathenish,  for  they  make 
no  effort  to  remove  their  severely  wounded,  leaving  them 
to  fall  into  our  hands  after  a  day  or  two,  and  never  exert 
ing  themselves  in  the  least  to  bury  their  dead,  who,  when 
we  find  them,  are  most  loathsome.  Sunday. — Just  at  twi 
light  this  morning  the  Thirty-third  Indiana  band  played 
Old  Hundred  grandly.  I  am  not  often  nowadays  con 
scious  of  being  immortal,  but  as  that  glorious  tune  swelled 
forth,  the  past,  the  present  and  the  future  seemed  to  melt 
into  one,  and  all  our  loved  who  have  gone  before  were 

160 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  161 

with  me  listening.  Of  late  I  have  been  touched  with  pity 
for  our  deluded  enemies.  It  is  very  sad  to  read  letters 
written  by  men  just  before  they  died,  or  to  see  a  corpse 
deserted  by  every  one  except  a  howling  dog." 

U.  H.  Farr :    "August  second  we  were  ordered  to  the  left 
again,  where  our  regimental  line  was  bisected  by  a  pike  run 
ning  near  and  parallel  to  the  railroad.   We  worked  day  and 
night  constructing  defenses,  but  as  soon  as  they  were  finished 
the  engineers  devised  new  works  nearer  the  enemy.    The 
last  advance  was  to  a  point  in  plain  view  of  a  rebel  fort,  out 
of  whose  portholes  heavy  siege  guns  would  send  shells  to 
burst  over  our  heads.     The  trench  on  the  inside  of  our 
breastworks  was  several  yards  in  width,  and  in  front  too 
wide  to  be  leaped  across,  and  six  feet  deep.    Holes  a  foot 
or  two  in  depth  were  dug  and  concealed  with  brush,  and 
telegraph  wire  was  fastened   to  little  stumps  and   pegs 
parallel  with  the  works,  and  everything  that  could  be  made 
an  impediment  to  an  assaulting  column  was  brought  into 
play,  for  our  line  had  been  so  extended  that  even  if  rein 
forced  by  the  retiring  skirmishers,  the  men  would  still  have 
been  several  feet  from  one  another.     Every  night  after 
dark  the  skirmish  relief  would  move  along  some  ravine 
leading  from  the  line  of  breastworks  to  the  front,  and  then 
crawl  from  pit  to  pit.     The  skirmish  lines  were  now  so 
close  that  the  Union  men  could  hear  the  Confederates 
talking.     Often  at  night  our  brass  bands  would  play  the 
familiar  notes  of  national  hymns  or  the  favorite  tunes  we 
had  often  heard  in  the  churches  at  home,  and  while  the 
music  was  rendered  the  stillness  would  be  profound,  not 
a  shot  would  be  exchanged." 

J.  L.  Ketcham:    "August  fifth. — I  had  to  make  details 
last  night  at  nine,  eleven,  two  and  five  o'clock  to  work  on 


162  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

a  new  line  of  trenches.  We  have  just  occupied  them  this 
morning.  This  makes  the  third,  and  in  some  places,  the 
fourth  line  of  works.  We  are  creeping  in  on  them.  Will 
dig  our  way  either  in  or  around  the  city.  We  were  on  the 
extreme  right  three  days  ago;  are  now  near  the  center. 
A  heavy  old  siege  gun  sends  a  shell  into  the  city  every  five 
minutes  as  regular  as  a  clock.  It  has  been  firing  about 
thirty-six  hours.  The  shell  goes  screeching  and  howling. 
The  boys  call  it  the  Atlanta  Express." 

Lieutenant  Grubbs :  "August  twelfth. — Yesterday  we 
again  commenced  the  work  of  advancing  our  lines.  Are 
moving  them  one  hundred  yards  to  the  front,  and  within 
three  hundred  yards  of  the  rebel  works.  Working  parties 
have  been  busy  since  yesterday  morning  constructing,  un 
der  a  sharp  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry,  a  new  line,  and 
to-day  the  work  is  almost  complete.  The  Johnnies,  taunted 
by  the  sound  of  the  Yankee  axes  and  picks,  have  been 
firing  most  viciously  all  the  morning.  One  man  of  Com 
pany  G  was  killed  on  the  breastworks;  others  were 
wounded,  but  the  work  still  went  on." 

Another  officer  writes:  "August  fifteenth,  Sunday. — A 
bullet  just  now  went  through  my  tent,  with  force  enough 
to  have  gone  through  me  twice  over.  I  was  lying  down 
reading.  If  I  had  been  standing,  it  would  have  been  good 
bye,  books.  We  had  three  men  killed  day  before  yesterday, 
and  two  wounded  yesterday,  by  what  are  called  stray  bul 
lets.  I  was  affected  as  the  boys  carried  Private  Johnnie 
Newton  on  a  stretcher  to  the  rear  to  die,  by  his  calling  out, 
'Good-bye,  Colonel!'  One  feels  so  helpless  in  the  pres 
ence  of  death." 

On  the  same  date,  Lieutenant  Grubbs:  "I  came  in  off 
the  skirmish  line  last  night  at  nine  o'clock,  after  lying  there 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  163 

without  sleep  or  relief  since  eight  the  evening  before.  Our 
line  and  that  of  the  Johnnies  are  not  more  than  two  hun 
dred  yards  apart,  and  each  watched  the  other  all  day  long 
like  hawks  to  see  if  a  head  or  limb  exposed  gave  the  chance 
of  a  shot.  We  have  rifle  pits  for  the  skirmishers,  as  well  as 
breastworks  for  the  main  line.  They  are  constructed  in 
the  night  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  as  near  the  rebs' 
line  as  possible  without  arousing  them.  A  few  rails  or 
logs  are  piled  up,  and  in  rear  of  them  a  deep  ditch  is  dug 
and  the  dirt  thrown  in  front  of  the  rails,  forming  an  em 
bankment. 

"I  don't  want  to  be  in  a  hotter  place  than  we  had  all 
day  yesterday.  Shortly  after  daylight  they  sent  out  their 
sharpshooters,  who  posted  themselves  on  a  rise  a  little  to 
our  right  and  front.  There  was  considerable  underbrush, 
and  it  was  some  time  before  they  discovered  us  or  we  them. 
But  soon  one  sharper-eyed  than  his  comrades  saw  a 
Johnny  stealing  through  the  woods,  and  in  a  moment  more 
spied  their  secure  retreat.  Of  course  the  boys  could  not 
but  fire  away  whenever  one  would  show  himself,  and  they 
too  looked  out  our  post,  and  soon  were  returning  the  com 
pliment  with  interest.  We  soon  found  out  that  they  were 
not  simply  pickets,  they  fired  too  accurately  for  that;  they 
were  trained  sharpshooters,  who  could  put  a  ball  almost 
anywhere  they  desired.  And  they  put  in  many  a  shot  that 
afternoon  far  closer  than  was  comfortable  for  us.  We  had 
an  arbor  of  leaves  above  us  as  a  shelter  from  the  sun,  and 
they  shot  two  of  the  poles  which  sustained  it  clear  off. 
They  splintered  the  rails  which  formed  our  protection,  and 
showered  the  dirt  and  bark  on  us.  Nor  did  we  submit  to 
it  all  quietly.  With  guns  ready  and  aimed  we  would  stand 
at  the  works,  and  when  a  Johnny  would  show  himself  at 


164  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

him  would  go  a  volley.  Sometimes  we  would  watch  them 
so  closely  that  they  could  not  fire  a  shot  for  an  hour.  Then 
in  turn  they  would  keep  us  as  close  for  an  hour,  and  so 
the  game  went  on  all  day,  firing  growing  so  sharp  some 
times  as  to  almost  bring  the  men  in  camp  to  the  trenches. 
It's  tiresome  work,  but  still  exciting,  and  this  morning  I 
feel  as  if  I  had  done  a  week's  hard  labor.  The  whole  woods 
here  look  worse  than  Chickamauga  battlefield.  Under 
brush  and  trees  six  or  eight  inches  in  diameter  are  mowed 
off  with  bullets,  until  wrhat  was  an  impenetrable  thicket  is 
now  almost  a  clearing.  You  can  scarcely  imagine  how 
glad  I  was  last  night  when  I  heard  the  relief  coming,  for 
I  was  tired  and  sleepy  and  wanted  rest  sadly.  This  morn 
ing,  just  before  daybreak,  we  had  an  alarm  and  were  called 
to  arms.  It  was  only  a  sharp  skirmish  fight,  however,  and 
extended  no  farther." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "The  night  of  the  twenty-fifth  of  August 
those  who  were  detailed  to  go  on  picket  were  told  to  take 
everything  with  them,  as  they  might  not  come  back  there 
again.  At  the  hour  for  roll  call,  when  the  drums  were  beat 
ing  furiously,  there  could  be  distinguished  the  rumble  of  ar 
tillery  in  the  works,  and  the  heavy  tread  of  moving  masses 
of  men.  At  the  usual  time  for  the  bands  to  play  they 
poured  forth  the  finest  music  the  pickets  had  ever  listened 
to,  and  when  they  heard  the  solemn  but  mournful  tunes 
that  have  come  down  through  the  ages,  the  feeling  that 
they  had  been  deserted,  and  the  loneliness  of  their  position, 
was  overpowering.  Just  before  break  of  day  the  order 
came  to  move  out.  When  they  had  reached  a  point  over 
looking  and  about  a  mile  to  the  rear  of  the  works,  it  was 
light  enough  to  see  the  smoke  of  the  rebels'  morning 


CAPTURE  OF  ATLANTA  165 

campfires.  Everything  seemed  as  quiet  as  the  grave,  not 
a  shot  could  be  heard  in  any  direction. 

"A  horseman  was  waiting  at  this  elevation  to  observe 
the  movements  of  the  enemy.  When  they  had  marched 
a  mile  farther  he  overtook  them  and  reported  that  he  saw 
the  rebels  make  the  discovery  of  our  supposed  retreat. 
While  they  were  getting  breakfast  they  seemed  to  notice 
there  was  no  smoke  coming  from  our  works,  when  some 
of  them  looked  awhile,  and  one  more  venturesome  than 
the  others  proceeded  to  step  across  the  space  dividing  the 
skirmish  lines,  and  finding  them  empty,  hurried  at  a  some 
what  faster  pace  to  the  main  line  of  our  fortifications. 
Mounting  these  he  motioned  to  his  comrades,  and  soon 
they  were  lined  with  the  jubilant  enemy.  Before  long  a 
body  of  cavalry  emerged  from  the  works  and  sallied  in  the 
direction  of  the  retreating  pickets,  but  did  not  overtake 
them,  for  by  nine  or  ten  o'clock  they  had  rejoined  their 
commands." 

August  thirtieth,  Lieutenant  Grubbs:  "To-day  the  en 
tire  Twentieth  Corps  lies  upon  the  banks  of  the 
Chattahoochie,  guarding  communications  and  protecting 
supplies,  while  Sherman  undertakes  new  and  important 
operations  against  Atlanta.  We  had  orders  to  have  every 
thing  ready  to  march  at  eight  o'clock  on  the  night  of  the 
twenty-fifth.  You  may  imagine  it  was  no  easy  matter  to 
slip  out  from  under  the  eyes  of  the  watchful  enemy,  who 
lay  so  near  us.  Only  a  hundred  yards  in  front  were  hostile 
pickets,  and  we  could  scarce  make  a  single  movement 
without  their  knowledge.  Already  they  seemed  to  have 
some  hint  of  our  going,  for  at  early  daybreak  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  twenty-fifth  they  had  shelled  our  lines  vigor 
ously,  evidently  thinking  that  we  had  gone,  but  our 


166  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

artillery  soon  convinced  them  that  we  were  there.  After 
dark  tents  were  silently  struck  and  baggage  prepared  for 
instant  move.  Bands  all  along  the  line  struck  up  their 
liveliest  notes,  drums  rattled  their  loudest,  but  it  was  only 
a  clever  ruse  to  drown  the  harsh  rumbling  of  the  artillery 
as  it  moved  to  the  rear.  Fires,  too,  glistened  all  along  the 
line,  as  they  had  each  night  for  weeks.  Regiments  were 
formed  in  the  trenches,  and  at  the  signal,  Yankee  Doodle, 
by  all  the  bands,  all  moved  silently  and  quickly  rearward. 
Half  an  hour  passed  and  we  heard  taps  sounded  by  the 
buglers  left  behind  to  a  deserted  camp. 

"Thus  was  effected  our  first  withdrawal  from  the  face  of 
the  enemy.  We  marched  a  mile  to  a  good  position  on  a 
hill,  and  there  we  lay  in  line  while  all  our  trains  and 
plunder  passed  us.  At  two  o'clock  we  marched  for  the 
river,  six  miles,  reaching  it  just  before  day.  That  day  and 
the  next  we  lay  in  support  of  our  First  Division  while  it 
fortified.  On  the  morning  of  the  twenty-eighth  we  moved 
across  the  river  and  occupied  old  rebel  works  resting  on 
the  river  and  crossing  the  railroad.  We  are  now  on  a  ridge 
in  a  beautiful  place,  with  a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding 
country." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "On  the  night  of  September  first  we  heard 
the  crashing  of  shells  and  heavy  explosions  in  Atlanta,  and 
could  see  a  fire  raging  in  the  city.  Early  on  the  morning 
of  the  second  we  marched  hurriedly  through  our  old  works, 
through  the  rebel  works,  into  the  city;  the  leading  troops 
of  our  division  skirmishing  with  a  few  rebel  troops  in  the 
streets.  The  effect  of  our  artillery  and  musketry  fire  was 
everywhere  visible.  Not  a  building  but  one  or  more  shell 
holes  through  it,  and  many  houses  were  dotted  with  minie 
balls.  Long  trains  of  cars  had  been  destroyed  the  night 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  167 

before,  and  fires  were  still  burning.  Lead  from  melted 
bullets  had  settled  in  depressions  and  cooled  in  masses  a 
foot  in  thickness.  It  was  very  pleasant  to  see  ammuni 
tion  used  in  this  way  by  the  rebels  which  had  been  intended 
for  our  destruction." 

Lieutenant  Grubbs:  "We  entered  Atlanta  yesterday 
with  flying  colors,  and  are  now  encamped  southwest  of 
the  city  on  the  Augusta  road.  In  all  the  northern  end  of 
the  city  there  is  not  a  house  but  has  been  riddled  from 
fore  to  aft  with  shot  and  shell.  Every  residence,  too,  and 
front  yard  has  its  gopher  hole,  as  well  the  lordly  man 
sion  of  the  aristocrat  as  the  humble  cottage  of  the  laborer. 
And  when  our  shells  came  singing  overhead,  the  silken- 
clad  hostess  of  the  mansion  doubtless  ran  as  nimbly  to  her 
house  of  refuge  as  did  she  of  the  cottage.  War  is  no  re 
specter  of  persons." 

At  last,  after  unflinching  persistence  and  sufferings  in 
describable  endured  by  the  Northern  men,  the  city  of 
Atlanta  lay  helpless  at  the  conquerors'  feet.  Only  those 
who  took  part  can  know  of  the  sickening  horrors  our  army 
endured  while  it  tried  to  wear  the  enemy  out.  Mosquitoes, 
fleas,  ticks,  lice,  graybacks,  snakes,  spiders,  tarantulas, 
scorpions,  itch,  scurvy,  poison  vines  were  our  light  afflic 
tions.  Our  grievous  affliction  was  lying  night  after  night 
in  the  accumulated  nastiness  that  the  filthy  foe  we  were 
driving  before  us,  inch  by  inch,  had  left  behind. 

Doubtless  the  delicate  reader  who  has  had  no  such  ex 
perience  will  be  disgusted  by  words  that  describe  all  too 
mildly  the  horrors  of  such  a  campaign.  Let  him  not  turn 
away  in  dismay  from  the  truth,  but  think  for  a  moment 
of  the  private  soldier  from  a  clean  and  comfortable  home 
bearing  this  thing  through  the  hot  months  of  summer,  his 


168  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

skin  eaten  off  by  devilish,  disgusting  insects,  his  one  suit 
of  woolen  clothing  reeking  with  filth,  his  tortured  body  a 
target  for  bullets  by  night  and  by  day,  his  misery  ended 
only  when  his  comrades,  envying  his  release,  cover  him  in 
the  sand. 

A  battle  is  terrible,  but  in  all  its  terrors,  and  in  all  its 
grandeur,  it  can  be  described.  Not  so  the  wearing  out 
of  an  enemy  by  enduring  evils  only  hinted  at  above. 
Bravery  is  the  brilliant,  is  the  attractive  virtue,  but  patience 
is  the  essence  of  many  a  grace,  and  to  it  the  supremacy 
must  be  given.  It  should  be  kept  in  mind  that  our  soldiers 
were  but  boys,  bearing  what  might  stagger  men.  A  self- 
denying,  uncomplaining  spirit  grew  as  these  lads,  night 
after  night,  looked  up  to  the  holy  light  of  the  stars;  it 
spread  as  the  reveille  bugle  music  ran  from  brigade  to 
brigade  at  each  morning's  dawn;  it  deepened  as  in  darkness 
on  lonely  outpost  the  thought  of  home  came  with  heavenly 
sweetness;  it  increased  in  the  din  of  battle  till  the  modest 
youths  unconsciously  displayed  every  virtue  that  mani 
fests  nobleness  of  soul. 

Back  of  bayonets  must  be  men.  It  is  iron  in  the  blood, 
not  weapons  of  iron,  that  wins.  Reverence  for  right  is  what 
gives  dignity.  That  men  can  be  found  who  do  not  flinch, 
but  who  quietly  see  the  thing  through,  is  what  gives  life 
its  real  grandeur.  Moments  or  years  are  short  or  long, 
little  or  great,  only  as  they  contain  experiences.  Many 
an  hour  has  more  of  "glorious  life"  than  have  ages  when 
"wealth  accumulates  and  men  decay."  In  scenes  like 
these  shine  forth  virtues  that  prove  the  soul  more  priceless 
than  the  stars.  The  bright  orbs  above  us  have  their  years 
and  cycles  that  speak  of  time  and  end,  but  majestic  actions 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  169 

and  holy  emotions  foretell  an  existence  whose  scope  is 
eternity. 

Our  young  men  did  not  become  prematurely  old  or 
unnaturally  serious.  Far  from  it.  As  long  as  they  could 
keep  with  their  companies  there  were  the  uniformly  cheer 
ful  voices,  ringing  out  in  merry  laughter  at  call  of  strange 
adventure  or  ludicrous  surroundings.  As  the  thrush  on 
topmost  twig  of  tallest  tree,  pouring  forth  his  song  till  air 
above  and  air  beneath  quivers  with  the  melody,  suddenly 
ceases  his  minstrelsy  forever,  when  sportsman's  cruel  shaft 
flings  him  fluttering  with  broken  wing  to  darkened  thicket 
and  the  shades  of  death,  so  the  sound  of  boyish  merriment 
is  still  only  when  fatal  disease  or  mortal  wound  sends  the 
drooping  lads  to  the  dreaded  hospital. 

On  September  ninth  an  officer  writes:  "Darky  Tom, 
while  yawning  just  now,  swallowed  a  yaller  jacket,  as  he 
called  it.  The  lazy  scamp  did  some  lively  dancing  for  a 
few  minutes.  Tom  is  the  gentleman  of  whom  another 
African  said,  'Lord,  how  dat  ole  nigga  Tom  yander  did 
clime  dat  ar  day  de  big  fight  on  Peach  Tree  Crick.'  All  of 
us,  however,  ought  to  make  good  dancers  or  fine  racers,  for 
like  prize  fighters  under  training,  flesh  has  been  reduced 
till  the  calves  are  gone  from  our  legs,  and  they  are  as 
straight  up  and  down  as  a  horse's.  There  is  no  danger  now 
of  receiving  a  flesh  wound,  for  it's  bone  or  nothing." 

J.  M.  Wills:  "After  the  surrender  of  Atlanta  we  camped 
in  and  around  the  city  for  one  month,  and  when  General 
Hood  flanked  Sherman  and  began  his  disastrous  cam 
paign,  our  brigade,  on  October  second,  went  north  eight 
miles,  crossed  the  Chattahoochie  River,  going  into  camp 
four  miles  south  of  the  crossing  at  Turner's  Ferry,  on 
October  fifth,  where  we  remained  until  Sherman  was 


170  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ready  to  start  on  his  march  to  the  sea.  While  in  camp 
here  the  presidential  election  of  1864  took  place,  with  Lin 
coln  and  McClellan  as  candidates.  The  Hoosier  boys  wert 
not  granted  the  privilege  that  was  given  the  boys  of  the 
Buckeye  State,  of  voting  and  having  their  ballots  counted. 
However,  a  Board  of  Election  Officers  was  appointed,  and 
an  election  held.  Each  man  was  supplied  with  two  tickets, 
one  with  the  name  of  Lincoln  and  the  other  with  the  name 
of  McClellan,  and  without  fear  or  intimidation  deposited 
his  ballot.  Out  of  over  five  hundred  votes  cast  Lincoln 
received  all  but  ten.  In  a  few  days  after  the  election  we 
marched  back  to  Atlanta,  and  the  veterans  and  recruits  of 
the  Twenty-seventh  Indiana  were  consolidated  with  our 
regiment." 

J.  H.  Kelly:  "October  twenty-first. — Great  rejoicing 
over  Governor  Morton's  re-election  by  thirty  thousand 
majority.  October  twenty-seventh. — The  Seventieth  was 
paid  ten  months'  wages.  Company  I  sent  home  more  than 
three  thousand  dollars.  November  second. — Orders  for 
every  man  to  provide  himself  with  two  pairs  of  shoes  and 
sixty  rounds  of  cartridges." 

Captain  Carson:  "Of  the  seventy-five  men  in  my  com 
pany  who  started  on  this  campaign  only  fourteen  answer 
to  their  names.  While  the  regiment  was  at  Turner's  Ferry, 
on  the  Chattahoochie  River,  after  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  Com 
pany  G,  with  a  detail  of  ten  men  from  each  of  the  other 
companies,  while  on  a  scouting  expedition,  came  in  con 
flict,  some  miles  from  camp,  with  a  division  of  rebel 
cavalry  at  Mitchell's  Cross  Roads.  The  detachment  was 
promptly  deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  began  pushing  the 
enemy,  who  being  ignorant  of  the  small  number  of  his 
opponents,  gradually  fell  back,  finally  retreating.  The  de- 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  I?1 

tachment  returned  safely  to  camp,  rejoicing  in  the  success 
of  their  bluff,  and  in  the  knowledge  that  five  of  the  enemy 
had  been  wounded." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "In  the  bottoms  along  the  river  grew  large 
quantities  of  peas  or  beans,  which  the  planters  had  raised 
for  the  purpose  of  feeding  their  stock,  human  and  other 
wise,  the  animals  eating  the  stalks  and  pods,  and  the  slaves 
the  contents  of  the  pods.  As  we  were  short  of  bread  we 
found  these  peas  wholesome  food.  A  small  piece  of  meat 
put  in  the  boiling  pot  with  these  peas  made  a  dinner  that 
was  pronounced  by  those  who  partook  as  both  rich  and 
splendid;  and  if  a  pumpkin  was  found  and  added,  the  joy 
of  the  diners  was  unconfined.  Now  and  then  wild  grapes, 
stewed  with  much  sugar,  garnished  with  persimmons,  made 
a  repast  which  all  declared  fit  for  General  Sherman  or 
Abraham  Lincoln.  As  rebels  were  prowling  about,  there 
was  some  skirmishing,  four  companies  being  called  out 
one  day  and  the  river  bottom  on  each  side  scoured,  and 
much  distance-shooting  done.  Just  before  we  left  our 
camp  at  Atlanta  we  assisted  the  prisoners  in  pulling  down 
a  railroad  bridge  that  spanned  the  river.  A  long  rope  was 
fastened  to  it,  and  our  vigorous  efforts  swung  the  tall 
trestles  out  of  balance,  so  that  the  whole  structure  fell  into 
the  stream  with  a  mighty  crash." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  report  made  by 
Capt.  H.  M.  Scott  touching  the  surrender  of  Atlanta: 

Headquarters  Third  Division,  Twentieth  Army  Corps. 

Atlanta,  Ga.,  September  3,  1864. 

General — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of 
reconnaissance  made  yesterday,  which  resulted  in  the  occupa 
tion  of  Atlanta  by  our  forces:  Taking  the  advance  with  cav 
alry,  I  proceeded  out  Turner's  Ferry  road  and,  scouting  coun- 


172  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

try  thoroughly  to  right  and  left,  advanced  without  opposition 
to  the  works  in  front  of  Atlanta  formerly  occupied  by  our  di 
vision.  Soon  after  passing  through  the  works,  a  body  of  men 
was  observed  coming  out  from  the  city.  Advancing  rapidly 
toward  them,  I  discovered  that  they  were  citizens  bearing  a 
flag  of  truce.  Going  forward,  I  asked  them  what  proposition 
they  had  to  make.  One  of  them  then  made  himself  known 
as  the  Mayor,  and  said  that  he  had  come  to  surrender  the 
city  and  ask  protection  for  non-combatants  and  private  prop 
erty.  In  answer  to  further  interrogatives  he  said  that  General 
Ferguson's  brigade  was  just  retiring  from  the  city,  and  that 
the  General  had  agreed  to  withdraw  without  offering  us  re 
sistance  in  order  to  insure  the  safety  of  non-combatants.  Not 
withstanding  the  assurance  of  the  Mayor  that  resistance  would 
not  be  offered  us,  we  had  scarcely  entered  the  city  before  we 
were  fired  upon  and  a  spirited  skirmish  ensued.  I  notified 
some  of  the  citizens  that  we  considered  this  as  a  violation  of 
good  faith,  and  that  if  the  rebels  continued  to  fire  from  be 
hind  houses  they  need  expect  no  protection  for  persons  or 
property,  and  that  they  had  better  communicate  this  fact  to 
the  enemy.  The  Mayor  afterward  went  out  and  endeavored 
to  stop  the  firing,  but  came  back  reporting  that  he  could  do 
nothing  with  the  men;  that  it  was  but  a  few  drunken  strag 
glers,  and  that  they  had  come  very  near  shooting  him.  The 
infantry  skirmishers  were  then  pushed  forward  and  with  the 
cavalry  cleared  the  city.  We  first  entered  the  city  at  about  9 
A.  M.,  and  about  one  hour  afterward  the  surrender  was  made. 
About  2  P.  M.  part  of  the  First  and  Second  divisions  came  up, 
and  soon  after  General  Slocum  arrived  and  took  command. 
Attached  hereto  find  copy  of  capitulation. 

I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant. 

H.  M.  SCOTT, 

Captain  Seventieth  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.  and  A.  A.  I.  G.,  Third  Div., 
Twentieth  A.  C. 

(Brig.-Gen.  W.  T.  Ward,  commanding  Third  Division.) 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  173 

Atlanta,  Ga.,  September  2,  1864. 
Brigadier-General  Ward,  Commanding  Third  Division,  Twen 

tieth  Corps: 

Sir  —  The  fortune  of  war  has  placed  Atlanta  in  your  hands. 
As  Mayor  of  the  city  I  ask  protection  to  non-combatants  and 
private  property. 


Mayor  of  Atlanta. 
Attest: 

H.  M.  SCOTT, 

Capt.  and  Actg.  Asst.  Insp.  Gen.,  Third  Div.,  Twentieth 

Army  Corps. 
J.  P.  THOMPSON, 

Lieut,  and  Actg.  Aide-de-Camp,  Third  Div.,  Twentieth 
Army  Corps. 

Executive  Mansion, 
Washington,  D.  C,  Sept.  3,  1864. 

The  National  thanks  are  tendered  by  the  President  to  Major 
General  W.  T.  Sherman  and  the  gallant  officers  and  soldiers  of 
his  command  before  Atlanta,  for  the  distinguished  ability, 
courage,  and  perseverance  displayed  in  the  campaign  in 
Georgia,  which,  under  Divine  favor,  has  resulted  in  the  cap 
ture  of  the  city  of  Atlanta.  The  marches,  battles,  sieges,  and 
other  military  operations  that  have  signalized  the  campaign 
must  render  it  famous  in  the  annals  of  war,  and  have  entitled 
those  who  have  participated  therein  to  the  applause  and 
thanks  of  the  nation.  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN, 

President  of  the  United  States. 

Headquarters  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Twentieth  Army 

Corps. 

Chattahoochee  Railroad  Bridge,  Sept.  14,  1864. 
Captain:    I  have  the  honor,  in  pursuance  of  orders  received, 
to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  operations  and  move 
ments  of  my  brigade  from  the  2ist  day  of  July,  1864,  to  the 
2d  inst.  : 

On  the  2  1st  day  of  July,  my  brigade  rested  in  the  breast 
works  built  the  night  previous  after  the  fight  of  the  2Oth  was 


174  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ended,  save  such  details  as  were  necessary  to  bury  the  rebel 
dead  within  our  lines.    The  enemy's  works  were  plainly  visible 
at  some  points  in  my  front,  and  a  good  deal  of  movement  was 
observed  during  the  day  within  their  lines.     There  was  but 
little  skirmish  firing  during  the  day,  though  some  burial  par 
ties  that  were  sent  out  in  front  of  my  works  to  collect  and 
bury  the  rebel  dead  were  fired  upon  by  the  enemy  and  com 
pelled  to  retire.    After  this  exhibition  of  bad  faith,  I  made  no 
further  effort  to  reach  the  rebel  dead    that    could    be    seen 
between  our  lines,  and  many  were  left  when  we  moved  the 
next  morning,  unburied,  and  so  remained  for  several  days.  On 
the  morning  of  the  22d  of  July  the  pickets  discovered  that  the 
enemy  had  retreated,  and  orders  were  soon  received  to  follow 
him.    My  brigade,  having  the  advance  of  this  division,  moved 
out  rapidly  on  the  Buck  Head  road,  with  two  companies  of 
Spencer  riflemen  as  an  advance  guard,  the  skirmishers  having 
already  moved  forward  on  a  line  covering  our  front.     The 
advance  was  made  with  rapidity,  as  the  impression  prevailed 
among  most  of  the  officers  and  men  that  we  would  be  able  to 
enter  the  city  of  Atlanta  without  further  opposition.     After 
moving  about  three  miles,  sharp  skirmishing  commenced  on 
our  right,  and  I  at  once  brought  two  regiments  into  line  to 
support  the  skirmishers  and  resist  any  sudden  attack  that 
might  be  made  upon  us.    At  this  time  the  enemy's  skirmishers 
were  seen  in  an  open  field  to  our  right,  and  not  being  able  to 
determine  whether  they  were  advancing  or  retiring,  and  hav 
ing  at  this  time  no  connection  with  other  troops,  either  on  our 
right  or  on  our  left,  we  remained  here  a  short  time  to  await 
the  appearance  of  other  troops.    The  brigadier  general  com 
manding  the  division  having  in  the  meantime  moved  on  with 
the  advanced  guard,  I  received  an  order  through  Lieut.-Col. 
C.  W.  Asmussen,  assistant  inspector-general  Twentieth  Corps, 
to  leave  the  road  on  which  we  were  marching,    and    move 
obliquely  to  the  right,  in  a  southwesterly  direction,  to  a  high 
ridge  and  take  position.    Having  formed  my  brigade  in  two 
lines,  I  moved  to  the  point  indicated,  the  Second  and  Third 
Brigades  following  by  the  flank,  and  took  up  a  position  where 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  175 

I  was  directed  by  Col.  Asmussen  to  remain  until  I  received 
further  orders.  In  reconnoitering  the  ground  and  looking 
about  for  the  Second  Division,  with  which  we  were  to  connect 
on  the  right,  I  found  that  we  were  far  in  advance  of  any  other 
troops,  and  it  was  not  till  we  had  been  some  half  an  hour  in 
this  position  that  the  skirmishers  of  the  Second  Division 
moved  past  me.  The  enemy's  skirmish  pits  and  skirmishers 
were  in  sight,  and  their  main  line  of  works  not  over  1,000 
yards  distant.  While  lying  in  this  position,  I  received  several 
orders  from  the  brigadier-general  commanding  the  division  to 
move  my  brigade  forward,  he  being  some  distance  in  advance 
with  my  advance  guard,  but  after  submitting  to  his  considera 
tion  the  orders  already  received  by  me,  I  was  left  in  position, 
and  the  Second  Division  was  put  in  position  on  my  left  and 
the  Third  Brigade  on  my  right,  some  distance  retired. 
Intrenchments  were  at  once  constructed,  at  first  of  a  frail 
character,  but  as  the  enemy  very  soon  opened  upon  us  with 
artillery  they  were  made  stronger.  The  brigade  remained  in 
this  position  until  the  26th  without  anything  important  occur 
ring,  except  that  the  line  was  advanced  about  forty  rods  on 
the  24th.  On  the  26th  our  entire  division  was  relieved  by  the 
Second  Division,  and  was  put  in  reserve,  where  we  remained 
until  the  29th.  On  the  2gth  the  entire  division  was  removed 
to  the  extreme  right  of  the  army  to  support  a  reconnaissance 
to  be  made  by  Davis'  division  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps.  The 
reconnaissance  was  made  without  any  fighting,  and  our 
division  rested  for  the  night  in  a  large  field  about  one  mile  in 
advance  of  the  works  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  On  the 
day  following,  Davis'  division  again  moved  to  the  right,  and 
went  into  position,  and  our  division  formed  in  the  rear  of  the 
right  of  that  division,  and  at  right  angles  with  it  to  cover  the 
flanks.  A  line  of  works  was  here  constructed,  but  no  enemy 
was  seen  even  by  our  pickets.  We  remained  in  this  position 
during  the  3ist  day  of  July  and  the  1st  day  of  August,  and 
on  the  2d  moved  to  the  left  of  our  line  and  encamped  for  the 
night  near  the  railroad. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  August  my  brigade  moved  up 


176  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

and  relieved  Moore's  brigade,  of  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps, 
in  the  works,  my  left  resting  on  the  railroad.  On  the  day  fol 
lowing  we  built  and  occupied  an  advanced  line  of  works  and 
continued  to  hold  them  without  any  change  of  importance 
occurring  until  the  nth  of  August,  when  the  right  of  my  line 
for  the  length  of  three  regiments  was  again  advanced.  On 
the  I4th  and  I5th  I  planned  and  constructed  a  lunette  on  the 
left  of  my  line  for  the  four  guns  stationed  at  that  point  (one 
section  Battery  I,  First  Michigan,  and  one  section  Battery  C, 
First  Ohio)  with  a  view  to  give  better  range  and  more  security 
to  the  guns.  From  that  time  until  the  night  of  the  25th  no 
change  took  place  within  our  lines. 

During  all  the  time  we  lay  before  the  city  very  active  picket 
firing  was  kept  up,  and  frequently  we  were  subjected  to  a 
severe  and  well  directed  fire  of  shell  from  the  enemy's  forts. 
Almost  every  day  casualties  occurred  within  my  lines,  and  it 
was  in  many  places  impossible  to  show  a  head  above  the  works 
without  it  being  made  a  target  for  rebel  sharpshooters.  The 
men  were  compelled  to  keep  continually  under  cover  and 
suffered  great  constraint  by  being  kept  so  continuously  in 
the  ditches,  which  were  frequently  very  wet  and  muddy. 
Many  casualties  occurred  while  men  were  sitting  in  their 
tents  close  behind  the  works,  and  several  were  killed  while 
asleep  in  their  bunks.  The  enemy's  works  were  not  more  than 
600  yards  from  my  lines,  and  their  gunners  could  be  plainly 
seen  from  my  lines  with  the  naked  eye  when  using  the  rammer. 
Our  picket-lines  were  in  some  places  not  more  than  fifty  paces 
apart.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  25th  of  August  I  was  ordered 
to  report  to  Brig.-Gen.  Williams,  commanding  Twentieth 
Army  Corps,  for  orders,  and  having  done  so,  was  ordered  by 
him  to  report  to  Brig.-Gen.  Knipe,  commanding  the  First 
Division,  Twentieth  Army  Corps.  From  the  latter  I  received 
orders  to  withdraw  my  brigade  from  the  works  at  8  P.  M.  and 
form  it  in  mass  on  a  range  of  hills  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
to  the  rear,  near  the  Marietta  road,  there  to  await  the  move 
ments  of  the  Fourth  Corps  to  the  right  of  the  army,  and  then 
to  move  in  the  rear  of  Brig.-Gen.  Ruger's  brigade  by  the 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  177 

Marietta  road  to  the  Chattahoochee  river.  These  orders  were 
executed,  and  the  brigade  arrived  without  loss  at  the  river 
about  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  26th,  and  was  put  in 
reserve  until  it  should  be  ascertained  whether  the  enemy 
would  follow  up  our  movement.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
27th,  I  was  ordered  by  Maj.-Gen.  Slocum  to  report  to  him 
for  orders,  and  was  by  him  put  in  position  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Chattahoochee  river  in  the  old  line  of  rebel  works  for 
the  purpose  of  covering  the  trains,  and  commissary  and 
ordnance  depots,  my  flanks  resting  on  the  river,  where  I  have 
remained  until  this  time,  except  that  when  the  First  Division 
moved  into  the  occupancy  of  the  city  of  Atlanta,  I  was  ordered 
to  put  one  regiment  into  position  on  the  south  side  of  the  river 
to  cover  the  bridge. 

Not  having  had  the  opportunity  in  former  reports  rendered 
from  me  during  the  campaign  suitably  to  acknowledge  the 
services  of  Lieut.  George  W.  Gilchrist,  my  pioneer  officer,  I 
take  this  occasion  to  say  that  his  skill  in  his  department,  his 
energy  and  courage,  deserve  the  highest  commendation.  He 
was  ever  ready  to  go  to  the  skirmish  line  or  beyond  it,  if  work 
was  to  be  done  there,  and  any  work  entrusted  to  him  was 
promptly  and  skilfully  done.  I  submit  herewith  the  reports 
of  my  regimental  commanders,  and  also  a  list  of  killed  and 
wounded  for  the  period  embraced  in  the  report.  List  shows 
i  officer  and  8  men  killed,  I  officer  and  52  men  wounded. 
Total,  63.  Respectfully  submitted, 

BENJAMIN  HARRISON, 
Col.  Commanding  ist  Brig.,  3d  Div.,  2Oth  Army  Corps. 

Capt.  John  Speed, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Twentieth  Army 

Corps. 

Chattahoochee  River,  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Colonel — I  disposed  of  my  troops  at  daylight  yesterday 
morning,  according  to  the  directions  contained  in  your  letter 
of  the  night  before.  The  Thirty-third  Massachusetts  was 


178  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

placed  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  covering  the  bridges,  as 
I  thought  it  could  be  best  spared  from  my  line  on  this  side. 
This  morning  I  have  ordered  that  regiment  forward  to 
Atlanta,  in  obedience  to  a  telegram  received  from  you  last 
evening,  and  have  put  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois  in 
the  place  occupied  by  it  on  the  south  side  of  the  river.  Mov 
ing  these  two  regiments  from  my  line  on  the  north,  will  com 
pel  me  to-day  to  take  up  a  new  and  a  shorter  line.  This  I  shall 
do  by  occupying  the  shortest  line  outside  of  the  depot  of  sup 
plies  stored  here  until  these  supplies  are  removed,  when  I  pro 
pose  to  still  further  contract  my  lines,  and  occupy  the  line  of 
rebel  defenses  in  which  our  artillery  has  been.  I  hope  these 
supplies  may  be  removed  as  soon  as  possible,  as  while  they 
remain,  my  lines  are  so  extended  as  to  be  weak  and  unsafe. 
If  I  am  expected  to  remain  here  for  any  length  of  time,  I  will 
construct  some  blockhouses  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  for 
the  better  defense  of  the  bridge.  I  think  about  four  good 
blockhouses  would  cover  all  of  the  approaches  on  the  south 
side.  I  would  like,  if  possible,  to  have  some  artillery  left  here, 
as  in  case  an  attack  should  be  made  with  artillery  the  bridge 
might  be  battered  down  from  some  of  the  many  hills  about 
which  command  it.  If  the  major-general  commanding  has 
any  commands  as  to  the  line  he  wants  me  to  occupy,  or  the 
character  of  the  defenses  he  desires  constructed  here,  I  should 
be  glad  to  receive  them.  I  hope  within  a  few  days  to  see  him 
in  the  city  and  explain  more  fully  my  views  as  to  the  best 
defense  of  this  point,  but  for  the  present,  time  is  too  much 
occupied  to  admit  of  my  leaving. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

BENJAMIN  HARRISON, 

Colonel  Commanding-. 
Lieut-Col.  H.  W.  Perkins, 

Assistant  Adjutant-General,  Twentieth  Army  Corps. 

Near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Sept.  22,  1864. 

The  regiment  marched  from  Wauhatchie  Valley  at  6:30 
A.  M.  on  May  2,  1864,  marching  via  Gordon's  Mills,  passing 
three  miles  south  of  Ringgold.  Whilst  crossing  Taylor's 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  179 

Ridge  Lieut.  Hardenbrook,  in  charge  of  a  squad  of  ten  men, 
surprised  the  enemy's  pickets,  capturing  three  men,  together 
with  some  other  things.  Encamped  on  the  night  of  the  7th  in 
front  of  Dug  Gap,  where  the  regiment  was  held,  in  expectation 
of  being  engaged,  until  the  morning  of  the  nth;  marched  at 
5  o'clock  into  Snake  Creek  Gap;  spent  part  of  the  day  cut 
ting  out  and  widening  the  road;  marched  then  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Resaca.  During  the  afternoon  of  the  I3th  of  May  we 
met  the  enemy  and  were  shelled  by  them  till  late  in  the  even 
ing;  moved  out  to  the  front  line;  moved  to  the  left  and  were 
placed  in  position  in  the  front  line  at  10  P.  M. ;  picket  firing 
during  the  night  without  any  casualties.  On  the  morning  of 
the  I4th,  at  dawn  of  day,  brisk  skirmishing  commenced.  Dur 
ing  the  fore  part  of  the  day  Company  D  was  sent  out  to  ascer 
tain  the  strength  and  position  of  the  enemy;  had  not  advanced 
far  until  the  firing  was  so  heavy  as  to  compel  them  to  seek 
shelter,  where  they  were  under  the  necessity  of  remaining 
until  after  night.  The  regiment  at  I  P.  M.  was  ordered  to 
advance,  but  the  fire  of  the  enemy  was  so  terrific  as  to  soon 
check  them  and  to  satisfy  all  of  the  strength  of  the  enemy,  and 
that  it  was  not  practicable  to  attempt  to  charge  them  across 
an  open  field  with  a  deep  and  swampy  creek  running  through 
it.  The  regiment  lost  during  the  day  three  men  killed  and 
thirteen  men  wounded.  A  detail  worked  all  night  on  rifle- 
pits. 

On  the  morning  of  the  I5th,  moved  to  the  extreme  left 
of  the  line;  unslung  knapsacks  and  formed  in  five  lines  just 
beyond  the  crest  of  a  hill  in  front  of  the  rebel  fort  and  breast 
works.  At  I  P.  M.  the  Third  Division,  Twentieth  Army 
Corps  (with  the  Seventieth  Indiana  leading  the  charge  in 
front  of  the  fort)  charged  the  fort  and  earthworks  and  cap 
tured  the  battery,  consisting  of  two  sections,  12-pounder  brass 
pieces,  mounted.  During  the  charge  and  taking  the  artillery 
out  of  the  fort,  the  Seventieth  Regiment  lost,  in  killed,  26 
men;  wounded,  126  men  and  four  commissioned  officers; 
aggregate,  156.  On  the  i8th  our  forces  came  in  contact  with 
the  enemy  near  Cassville,  and  were  engaged  all  day  in  skirm- 


l8o  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ishing  and  artillery  firing,  the  Seventieth  had  one  man 
wounded.  May  25th,  ran  into  the  enemy  in  front  of  Lost 
Mountain,  near  Dallas.  On  that  evening  the  Seventieth  was 
not  engaged  in  the  fight,  yet  had  one  man  killed  and  several 
wounded  by  shells.  The  regiment  was  engaged  all  night 
building  breastworks.  From  May  25th  to  June  1st  was  part 
of  the  time  in  front  line  and  part  of  the  time  in  second  line,  and 
had  her  quota  on  the  skirmish  line,  with  loss  of  only  a  few 
men.  The  brigade  moved  to  the  left  from  time  to  time  until 
the  I5th  day  of  June,  when  our  forces  advanced  on  the  enemy, 
driving  him  from  his  first  line  of  works,  and  about  5  P.  M. 
drove  their  skirmishers  back  into  their  strong  works,  at  which 
time  the  First  Brigade  attacked  them  on  the  Sandtown  road  at 
Golgotha  Church.  From  some  want  of  a  correct  knowledge 
of  the  ground  or  pressure  from  the  left  the  Seventieth  Indiana 
was  thrown  across  the  Sandtown  road  in  an  exposed  position 
in  front  of  the  enemy's  masked  artillery,  where  Cleburn's 
division  fired  135  rounds  of  shot,  shell  and  canister  at  our 
line  during  the  hour  and  twenty-five  minutes  that  the  regiment 
lay  in  its  perilous  position.  The  casualties  of  the  regiment 
were  3  commissioned  officers  and  43  men  wounded  and  3  men 
killed.  From  the  I5th  day  of  June  to  the  2Oth  day  of  July, 
the  regiment  was  more  or  less  engaged  more  or  less  of  the 
time  in  skirmishing,  supporting  batteries,  etc.  During  that 
space  of  time  there  was  quite  a  number  of  casualties.  On  the 
2Oth  day  of  July  the  Seventieth  was  engaged  in  battle  on 
Peach  Tree  Creek;  in  the  formation  was  in  second  line,  yet 
during  the  engagement,  a  charge  was  made  and  they  passed 
through  the  first  line,  and  intrenched  themselves  on  the  crest 
of  the  hill  in  the  front  line.  The  regiment  lost  in  that  battle 
i  commissioned  officer  and  4  privates  killed,  and  2  commis 
sioned  officers  and  25  men  wounded.  Total,  32. 

On  July  22  the  Twentieth  Corps  moved  in  the  direction 
of  Atlanta  till  our  advance  was  repulsed  by  the  shot  and  shell 
from  the  enemy's  forts  around  the  city.  Our  brigade  (First) 
took  a  position  on  the  north  of  the  city,  and  built  breastworks 
midst  the  bursting  shells  of  the  enemy's  artillery ;  participated 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  l8l 

in  some  warm  skirmishing,  and  after  a  few  days  advanced 
some  200  yards,  and  built  a  second  line  of  works.  On  the 
28th  our  brigade  was  ordered  to  the  right  to  support  the  Fif 
teenth  Corps,  where  it  remained  for  one  week  and  then 
returned  to  Atlanta  and  went  into  the  works  west  of  the  Chat 
tanooga  railroad.  The  brigade  advanced  and  built  two  new 
and  very  strong  lines  of  works,  with  more  or  less  casualties 
every  day  till  the  25th  day  of  August,  when  the  Twentieth 
Corps  was  ordered  to  fall  back  and  the  Seventieth  took  a  posi 
tion  on  the  north  side  of  the  Chattahoochee,  where  our  regi 
ment  was  employed  in  picket  duty,  and  fatigue  in  unloading 
and  storing  commissaries,  ammunition,  etc.,  till  the  i6th  day 
of  September;  marched  into  Atlanta  and  went  into  camp  on 
the  south  side  of  the  city.  Respectfully  submitted, 

Z.  S.  RAGAN, 
Major  Commanding  Seventieth  Indiana  Vol.  Inf. 

Headquarters  Seventieth  Indiana. 

Turner's  Ferry,  Oct.  21,  1864. 

Colonel — I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report 
relating  to  information  elicited  to-day  from  a  reconnaissance 
made  by  a  portion  of  my  force: 

The  enemy  that  my  men  encountered  on  the  iQth  appear, 
from  the  discoveries  since  made,  to  have  been  four  brigades  of 
cavalry,  Gen.  Armstrong,  commanding  division;  Gens.  Jack 
son,  Ferguson  and  one  other  General  (name  unknown),  com 
manding  brigades.  They  were  mounted  on  mules  and  horses, 
many  of  them  without  saddles.  They  came  in  on  the  Gun 
powder  road,  via  Powder  Springs,  and  seemed  to  have 
intended  crossing  at  this  and  Howell's  Ferry,  but  my  detach 
ment,  meeting  their  advance  guard  at  two  different  points, 
deployed,  drove  them  back  a  mile  and  a  half,  and  doubtless 
they  were  deceived  and  thought  my  force  to  be  the  advance 
of  a  strong  force.  They  fell  back  (the  citizens  say)  in  great 
excitement  across  or  in  the  direction  of  Sweet  Water.  They 
crossed  their  cattle  over  the  Chattahoochee  that  night  about 
midnight,  yet  the  force  were  still  encamped  seven  or  eight 


182  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

miles  below  here  last  night.  Have  no  intimations  of  their 
movements  or  intentions  since.  The  signs  of  the  enemy  seen 
by  my  men  to-day  corroborate  the  statements  of  citizens  and 
negroes  in  that  vicinity.  There  was  no  artillery  seen;  they 
had  forty-one  Union  soldiers  prisoners,  reported  to  have  been 
captured  at  Smyrna. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

Z.  S.  RAGAN, 
Maj.  Commanding  Regiment. 
Col.  F.  C.  Smith, 

Commanding  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Twentieth 

Army  Corps. 

Headquarters  Seventieth  Indiana. 

Turner's  Ferry,  Chattahoochee  River,  Ga.,  Oct.  23,  1864. 

Lieutenant — In  compliance  with  a  request  of  Gen.  Slocum, 
I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  the  following  detailed  account  of 
the  skirmishing  of  part  of  my  command  with  the  rebels  on  the 
1 9th  instant: 

About  11:30  A.  M.  information  reached  me  that  rebel 
cavalry  were  seen  down  the  river.  I  ordered  out  immediately 
Capt.  Carson,  with  thirty  men  instructed  to  proceed  cautiously 
down  the  river  at  about  two  miles  distant,  and  parallel  the 
river.  Lieut.  Hardenbrook,  with  thirty  men,  was  ordered 
down  between  Capt.  Carson's  force  and  the  river,  with  instruc 
tions  to  support  each  other  in  case  of  necessity.  Capt.  Tansey 
and  Lieut.  McCracken,  with  thirty  men,  were  crossed  over 
the  river  on  the  south  side,  and  sent  down  on  that  side.  After 
moving  out  two  miles  and  a  half,  Capt.  Carson  engaged  the 
advance  guard  of  the  enemy.  After  considerable  skirmishing 
drove  them  back  one  mile  and  a  half  near  the  main  force, 
where  they  dismounted  and  occupied  some  old  works  and 
houses,  and  kept  up  a  fight  for  several  hours.  During  this 
time  Lieut.  Hardenbrook  had  come  in  contact  with  another 
party,  on  or  near  the  river  at  Howell's  Ferry.  Toward  night 
the  enemy  retreated  and  fell  back  onto  their  main  force,  which 
Ipy  this  time  became  apparent  from  the  noise,  confusion,  and 
hallooing,  as  though  they  were  driving  stock.  During  the 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  183 

time  that  Capt.  Carson  was  so  briskly  engaged,  I  sent  out 
Lieut.  Stafford,  with  fifteen  men,  to  support  him,  and  to  pre 
vent  the  enemy  flanking  or  coming  around  in  his  rear.  Shortly 
after  this,   I   received   orders  from   brigade  headquarters  to 
order  my  men  in,  and  did  so.    Owing  to  the  fact  that  my  men 
were  deployed  and  instructed  to  keep  themselves  confined  to 
the  woods,  so  as  not  to  allow  the  enemy  to  ascertain  their 
strength,  together  with  the  bold  dash  and  rapid  firing,  led  the 
enemy  to  suppose  they  we're  the  skirmish  line  of  a  heavy  force. 
Under  this   false   impression,   they    pulled    up    stakes    and 
marched  till  9  o'clock  that  evening,  crossing  Sweet  Water. 
Before,  however,  they  gained  shelter  under  the  old  breast 
works,  my  men  unhorsed  a  number  of  them,  and  a  lady,  who 
lives  near  where  the  skirmishing  took  place,  states  that  they 
pressed  her  wagon  to  haul  off  three  wounded  men,  two  of 
them  badly  shot  through  the  body,  and  the  other  through  the 
shoulder.    They  also  had  an  ambulance  along,  but  these  were 
all  the  wounded  that  the  lady  saw.    There  were  no  casualties 
on  our  side.     From  a  reconnaissance  made  on  the  2ist  by 
Lieut.  Hardenbrook  and  forty-five  men,  he  ascertained  that  at 
the  time  the  skirmishing  took  place  that  the  enemy  lay  just 
below  the  Howell's  Ferry  road,  and  extended  from  the  river 
Mitchell's  crossroads,  a  distance  of  four  miles.     They  had 
some  cattle  and  forty  odd  prisoners.    Had  no  artillery  that  we 
can  learn;  were  strictly  cavalry,  without  any  baggage  tram; 
represented  to  be  three  or  four  brigades,  by  some  as  t 
3,000  strong. 

Among  the  names  of  officers  in  command  were  Gen.  Arm 
strong  said  to  be  commanding  division;  Gens.  Jackson  and 
Ferguson,  and  one  other  (the  name  not  given),  as  com 
manders  of  brigades.  Their  movement  was  westward  said 
to  be  in  the  direction  of  Blue  Mountains,  and  not  to  have 
crossed  the  Chattahoochee  river.  Boasted  that  they  got  ahead 
of  Gen.  Kilpatrick  this  time,  etc.  Z.  S  RAGAJN 

Major  Commanding  Seventieth  Ind.  Vol.  Inf. 

Lieut.  J.  H.  Snyder, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


184  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ITINERARY  OF  THE  TWENTIETH  ARMY  CORPS, 
MAY  3-SEPT.  8. 

(From  monthly  returns.  Maj.-Gen.  Joseph  Hooker  com 
manded  the  corps  to  July  27,  1864;  Brig.-Gen.  Alpheus  S. 
Williams  to  Aug.  27,  1864,  and  Maj.-Gen.  Henry  W.  Slocum, 
the  remainder  of  the  campaign.) 

The  corps,  heretofore  stationed  along  the  line  of  com 
munications  from  Chattanooga  to  Nashville,  was  about  May 
3  concentrated  (except  the  Fourth  Division,  which  remained 
on  the  railroad)  in  the  vicinity  of  Chattanooga,  and  has  taken 
an  active  part  in  the  campaign  of  the  Army  of  the  Cum 
berland. 

May  8 — The  Second  Division  was  engaged  at  Mill  Creek 
Gap,  near  Dalton. 

May  14 — The  First  Division  engaged  on  the  extreme  left 
of  the  army,  near  Resaca. 

May  15— The  whole  corps  engaged,  assaulting  the  enemy's 
works  on  their  extreme  left  at  Resaca;  captured  the  works 
and  four  pieces  of  artillery.     During  the  night  the  enemy 
withdrew,  burning  the  bridges. 
May  16 — Pursuit  commenced. 

May  25— Came  up  with  the  enemy  near  Dallas.  An  attack 
was  made,  in  which  the  whole  corps  was  engaged. 

May  26  to  30  inclusive— Held  a  line  in  front  of  the  enemy's 
works  near  Dallas;  skirmish  fire  constant  and  heavy,  with 
many  casualties. 

June  i — Relieved  from  the  position,  the  corps  assumed  in 
front  of  the  enemy's  works  near  Dallas;  moved  to  the  left  in 
the  direction  of  Ackworth  about  five  miles,  taking  again  a 
position  in  the  general  line. 

June  6 — Crossed  Allatoona  Creek  and  took  position  in 
front  of  enemy's  works  near  Pine  Hill. 

June  15 — Pine  Hill  evacuated  by  enemy;  engaged  the 
enemy  near  Lost  Mountain;  gained  position  near  their 
intrenchments. 

June  17 — Enemy  evacuated  works  in  our  front,  falling  back 


CAPTURE   OF  ATLANTA  185 

to  a  line  between  Mud  Creek    and    Noye's    Creek;    corps 
advanced  and  again  assumed  position  in  front  of  them. 

june  jg — Enemy  evacuated  works  in  our  front,  falling  back 
to  a  line  on  the  east  side  of  Noye's  Creek;  corps  again 
advanced  and  took  position  in  their  front. 

June  22 — Corps  advanced,  driving  in  enemy's  outposts,  the 
First  Division  moving  to  the  right.  A  heavy  attack  was 
made  on  it  by  the  enemy,  which  was  repulsed  with  slight 
loss  to  us;  enemy  retreated  to  their  intrenchments,  the  corps 
taking  a  position  in  front  of  them.  At  the  end  of  the  month 
the  position  remained  unchanged.  During  the  whole  month 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy  has  been  constant  and  heavy, 
with  many  casualties.  Total  number  of  casualties  during  the 
month,  1,544. 

July  i — Corps  still  in  position  in  front  of  the  enemy  near 
Kolb's  Farm. 

July  ^ — Enemy  evacuated  their  works;  corps  advanced 
through  Marietta,  the  Third  Division  having  a  slight  engage 
ment  with  enemy's  rear  guard  (cavalry  and  artillery)  near 
Marietta;  the  Second  Division  also  skirmishing;  assumed 
position  in  front  of  enemy's  works  about  six  miles  south  of 
Marietta. 

July  5 — Enemy  evacuated  their  works;  the  corps  again 
advanced;  took  position  in  front  of  the  enemy,  who  were  in 
their  works  on  the  north  side  of  Chattahoochee  River. 

July  o, — Enemy  withdrew  across  the  river. 

July  17 — Corps  crossed  Chattahoochee  River. 

July  1 8  and  19— Advancing  toward  Atlanta,  skirmishing 
with  enemy. 

July  19— The  Second  Division  crossed  Peach  Tree  Creek. 

July  20 — Balance  of  corps  crossed.  Battle  of  Peach  Tree 
Creek. 

July  22 — Enemy  evacuated  works  in  our  front,  retiring  to 
the  fortifications  about  Atlanta;  the  corps,  following,  took  up 
position  in  their  front. 

July  31 — Position  remains  unchanged. 

Casualties  for  month,  2,007. 


l86  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

By  general  orders  from  headquarters,  Department  of  the 
Cumberland,  the  artillery  of  the  corps  was,  on  July  27th, 
detached  from  the  divisions  and  organized  into  an  artillery 
brigade,  under  command  of  Maj.  Reynolds,  First  New  York 
Artillery. 

The  whole  corps  in  the  trenches  in  front  of  Atlanta,  Ga., 
occupying  2  3-4  miles  of  the  line  until  the  25th  (August). 

August  25 — The  corps  was  moved  back  to  the  Chatta- 
hoochee  River  to  hold  the  crossing  places  and  guard  the  rail 
road  communications,  while  the  balance  of  the  army  operated 
south  of  Atlanta. 

August  26  and  27 — Skirmished  with  enemy,  who  advanced 
to  feel  our  position. 

August  28  to  31  inclusive — Skirmishing,  occasioned  by 
daily  reconnaissances  sent  from  our  position  toward  the  city. 

Position  unchanged  at  end  of  month.  Casualties  during 
month,  240. 

September  I — Corps  in  position,  covering  the  crossing  of 
the  Chattahoochee  River.  First  Division,  with  the  First 
Brigade,  Third  Division,  at  railroad  crossing;  Second  Division 
at  Pace's  Ferry,  and  the  Third  Division  at  Turner's  Ferry; 
reconnoitering  party  sent  out  from  the  First  Division  toward 
Atlanta;  found  it  still  occupied  by  the  enemy. 

September  2 — Reconnaissance  sent  from  each  division,  and 
finding  the  city  evacuated,  took  possession.  On  this,  and  the 
following  day,  the  whole  corps,  except  the  First  Brigade, 
Third  Division,  marched  into  the  city  and  took  possession  of 
the  works.  This  brigade  remained  at  the  river  to  guard  the 
railroad  bridge  until  the  i6th,  when  it  was  also  ordered  up, 
leaving  one  regiment  (the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois)  to 
guard  the  bridge. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

"I  WAS  SICK  AND  YE  VISITED  ME" 

As  has  been  intimated,  the  hospital  was  the  place  the 
good  soldier  dreaded,  and  even  now  that  nearly  two-score 
years  have  softened  its  mournful  memories,  shadows  never 
to  vanish  linger  about  the  melancholy  spot  where  the  sink 
ing  patriot  breathed  his  last  sigh.  Yet  no  history  of  the 
Seventieth  Indiana  would  be  complete  unless  mention  were 
made  of  these  transitory  dwelling  places  of  the  sick  and 
wounded,  of  the  work  of  the  surgeons,  and  the  noble 
sacrifices  of  those  nurses  who  toiled  without  remunera 
tion. 

To  the  question  of  the  reader,  what  can  cheer  the  gloom 
of  the  field  hospital,  where  the  dying  soldier  longs  for 
home,  and  tossing  in  feverish  slumbers  whispers  the  name 
of  sister,  wife  or  mother,  memory  brings  the  answer. 
Sweet,  self-denying  patriotism  inspired  women  to  come 
and  bend  over  the  lowly  cots  and  comfort  as  best  they 
could  the  last  hours  of  the  departing.  The  menial  services 
of  bathing  the  feet  of  the  tired  boy,  whose  earthly  march 
is  well  nigh  ended,  and  who  is  on  the  brink  of  a  long 
journey,  has  in  its  ministry  a  tender  grace  that  makes  us 
know  what  angels  are.  The  heavenly  sunlight  flooding  the 
rugged  landscape,  till  rock  and  bush  and  tree  take  on 
celestial  beauty,  and  the  roadside  pool  reflects  the  azure 
dome,  is  but  faintly  emblematic  of  the  wondrous  power 
of  woman's  holy  love. 

"Captain,"  the  author  asked  of  a  comrade,  "what  of 
all  you  saw  will  stay  with  you  longest?"  He  was  silent  for 

187 


188  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

a  moment,  and  then  replied:*  'There  was  a  lovely  lady 
who  left  her  home  of  comfort  and  refinement  and  came  to 
the  army  in  the  field.  One  day  I  entered  the  hospital  and 
saw  her,  basin  and  towel  in  hand,  going  from  cot  to  cot, 
washing  the  feet  of  the  sick,  the  wounded  and  the  dying, 
gently  preparing  the  worn  out  lads  to  enter  the  land  of 
eternal  rest.  The  act  was  done  with  such  gracious  humil 
ity,  as  if  it  were  a  privilege,  that  I  turned  away  with  my 
eyes  full  of  tears,  and  I  say  to  you  now,  that  after  all  other 
earthly  scenes  have  vanished,  this  upon  which  a  radiance 
from  Heaven  falls  will  abide  forever." 

The  following  extracts  are  from  the  journal  of  Mrs.  John 
L.  Ketcham,  mother  of  J.  L.  Ketcham,  Jr.,  of  Company 
K,  who  with  Miss  Betty  Bates,  aunt  of  Maj.  S.  C.  Vance, 
spent  several  months  in  the  hospitals  at  Gallatin,  Tennes 
see: 

"A  company  was  being  raised  in  our  neighborhood  for 
the  Seventieth  Indiana.  All  the  boys  on  the  hill  around 
us  and  in  our  Sabbath  school,  and  all  the  men  in  the  church 
between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  forty-five  joined  the 
company  or  enlisted  in  some  other  regiment.  While  the 
Seventieth  was  at  Bowling  Green  I  worked  in  the  kitchen 
at  home,  putting  up  quantities  of  jelly,  marmalade,  pickles 
of  every  variety,  anything  that  would  be  a  relish  with  their 
bacon,  beans,  hard  tack  and  rice.  I  even  tried  to  make 
concentrated  milk,  which  the  boys  thought  too  good  to 
dissolve  in  coffee  and  ate  as  candy.  As  a  relief  to  this  kind 
of  work  I  visited  the  hospitals  in  the  city,  and  in  the  even 
ing  sat  in  my  corner  knitting.  One  Sunday  evening  some 
of  the  family  happened  to  look  at  me,  and  exclaimed  at 
my  knitting,  just  as  on  week  days.  I  had  heard  how  the 

*Miss  Catharine  Merrill  who  died  May  30,  1900. 


"I  WAS   SICK  AND   YE   VISITED   ME"  189 

soldiers  suffered  for  want  of  socks,  and  I  could  not  sit  still 
and  think  of  their  cold,  bare  feet. 

"When  Dr.  Bullard  returned  from  Gallatin  and  told  his 
story  of  the  suffering,  he  asked,  'Are  there  no  two  women 
who  will  go?'  Miss  Bates  responded  at  once.  I  pondered 
over  it.  Leave  such  a  family  ?  But  how  many  husbands  had 
left  their  wives  and  children;  how  many  sons  their  homes. 
Yes,  I  could  go.  I  could  surely  trust  the  children  to  those 
around  and  to  Providence.  I  might  knit  on  forever,  make 
all  the  good  things  I  could  and  send  boxes,  but  in  a  few 
weeks'  nursing  perhaps  I  could  save  life.  At  any  rate  I 
could  do  far  more  than  I  was  doing.  So  Miss  Bates  and 
I  were  made  ready  and  were  off  with  speed  toward  our  field 
of  labor. 

"Of  course  we  were  ignorant,  there  being  no  one  who 
could  instruct  us;  so  we  had  to  use  our  own  judgment. 
We  reached  Gallatin  at  nightfall.  Miss  Bates  said,  'We 
are  so  tired,  let  us  go  to  a  hotel  and  have  a  good  night's 
rest  first/  Hotel!  There  was  scarcely  a  place  in  town 
that  was  not  full  to  overflowing  with  sick  soldiers.  I  said, 
'Let  us  go  to  headquarters  and  report  ourselves  at  once/ 
So  we  went  to  the  Medical  Department.  They  took  us 
over  to  General  Paine's  till  they  could  consider  where  they 
could  put  us.  Somebody  gave  up  his  room  till  we  could 
be  better  situated.  We  hoped  better  when  we  saw  the 
supper  and  breakfast.  A  little  hill  or  island  of  bacon  fried 
to  cracklings  in  the  middle  of  a  lake  of  grease;  cold  beans, 
biscuit  as  heavy  as  lead,  muddy  coffee  that  tasted  of  any 
thing  but  coffee. 

"The  next  day  we  were  taken  to  the  place  where  we  were 
to  board.  Our  room  was  large,  airy,  had  a  high  ceiling, 
bare  floor,  with  a  good  bed  and  a  wide  fireplace.  The 


190  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

back  stick  would  last  all  night,  which  was  well,  for  never 
was  there  a  stick  cut  ahead.  The  wood  had  to  be  cut 
every  morning  before  the  kitchen  fire  could  be  started.  As 
for  kindling,  they  knew  nothing  better  than  to  split  off 
the  chips  with  their  hands,  and  to  wait  till  the  fire  burned. 
Company  K  was  stationed  at  Pilot  Knob,  five  miles  south 
on  the  Nashville  road.  Lew  was  postmaster,  so  he  had  to 
come  to  town  often,  so  I  saw  him  and  heard  from  the  rest 

"Our  hostess  was  a  lady,  pretty,  good-natured  and  very 
kind  to  us,  and  what  was  more,  kept  a  good  table.  Our 
host  looked  like  a  typical  slave  hunter,  short,  stout,  with 
bushy,  standing-up  hair.  General  Dumont  had  him  in 
prison  three  months  in  Nashville  for  being  a  spy.  I  have 
no  doubt  he  was.  He  was  a  personal  friend  of  General 
Morgan.  His  doors  were  never  locked  at  night,  and  I 
felt  they  were  left  open  that  Morgan  might  run  in  at  any 
time  for  safety,  or  for  a  good  square  sleep.  I  would  think 
sometimes  I  heard  him  coming  in. 

"They  put  us  in  charge  of  a  female  seminary  building. 
It  was  packed  with  cots,  and  on  every  cot  was  a  sick  man. 
Even  the  platform  where  the  piano  had  stood  was  full.  It 
seemed  to  me  when  I  went  into  this  room  in  the  morning 
I  took  my  life  in  my  hands,  or  else  it  was  really  in  God's 
hands.  The  doctors  told  me  I  must  take  something  to 
prevent  that  poisonous  atmosphere  taking  hold  of  me.  I 
talked  with  my  brother.  He  said  his  idea  was,  that  when 
the  system  let  down  after  the  stimulating  effect  was  off, 
was  the  time  one  took  disease.  That  agreed  with  my  idea; 
so  I  never  took  anything,  and  before  we  were  through 
every  doctor  in  town  had  his  turn  of  typhoid  fever,  and 
I  was  the  only  one  who  kept  entirely  well. 

"The  men  and   everything  looked  pitifully   dirty,   but 


"I   WAS   SICK  AND   YE   VISITED   ME"  191 

it  would  take  time  to  straighten  them  out,  and  I'd  have 
to  begin  very  slowly.  I  had  the  soldier  nurse  take  one 
man,  wash  him  all  over  and  prop  him  up  by  the  fireside, 
while  he  sunned  and  washed  the  bed  and  floor  underneath. 
I  felt  panic  struck — what  if  the  man  should  die?  it  would 
end  my  work  there.  But  he  lived  and  looked  more  com 
fortable;  and  the  cleaning  process  went  on  as  rapidly  as 
possible. 

"It  was  coming  Christmas  time.  I  said  to  Betty,  The 
way  to  men's  hearts  is  said  to  be  through  their  stomachs. 
Let  us  give  them  a  Christmas  dinner.'  How  she  did  laugh. 
'A  Christmas  dinner,  out  of  what?'  I  did  not  know.  The 
road  was  broken,  no  supplies  coming  in,  but  we  could  try. 
I  consulted  with  the  head  ones,  and  they  all  tried  to  get 
lambs  and  chickens  for  us.  When  the  animals  came  they 
were  so  scrawny,  but  little  else  beside  skin  and  bone. 
Boiling  was  the  only  possible  way  of  cooking  anything, 
so  we'd  cook  them  together;  perhaps  a  little  of  the  rich 
ness  of  the  lamb  would  be  imparted  to  the  chicken.  When 
they  were  done  they  were  separated  and  different  gravies 
were  made,  and  so  were  served  up,  and  the  eaters  were 
none  the  wiser.  Mrs.  Paine  offered  her  daughter  to  help 
wait  on  the  table,  and  she  brought  veritable  tea  and  loaf 
sugar.  I  had  brought  plenty  of  both,  but  took  hers.  We 
had  a  strip  of  white  muslin  for  a  tablecloth,  and  a  bless 
ing,  which  made  it  seem  more  homelike.  The  pitiful  looks 
of  the  lamb  and  chicken  I  can  never  forget.  One  little 
disagreement  came  up.  The  doctors  and  Betty  wanted 
eggnog  for  dessert.  I  said  I  would  not  have  anything  to 
do  with  that;  so  I  would  take  charge  of  those  who  were  too 
sick  to  leave  their  beds.  The  sick  and  wounded  soldiers 
ate  first,  then  came  the  soldier  nurses.  When  the  doctors 


I92  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

came  to  eat,  lo  and  behold  the  nurses  had  drunk  all  the 
eggnog.  The  consequence  was  they  were  in  bed  all  after 
noon  sleeping  off  their  nog.  The  doctors  were  mad,  and 
I  laughed,  but  only  in  my  sleeve. 

"One  of  my  first  suggestions  was  to  make  all  clean  on 
Saturday,  preparatory  to  keeping  the  Sabbath.  Everybody 
said,  What's  the  use?'  I  said,  'Keeping  the  Sabbath  was 
one  of  the  army  regulations/  We  could  not  have  much  to 
eat;  Morgan  had  the  road,  so  we  could  not  get  anything 
from  home,  even  letters,  but  we  could  be  clean.  So  every 
Saturday  night  there  was  a  grand  cleaning  up,  and  the 
sick  in  their  cots,  the  men  on  the  fence  in  their  clean  white 
shirts,  looked  so  comfortable.  Betty  was  taken  to  a  church 
full  of  sick  men,  as  it  did  not  seem  right  to  put  so  much 
force  into  one  building.  The  doctors  showed  me  jars  and 
jars  of  tapioca,  and  asked,  'What  do  you  do  with  this?' 
I  said,  'I'll  see/  but  I  could  have  done  better,  only  we  had 
so  few  apples.  Some  kind  of  a  pudding  was  made,  and  the 
men  liked  it,  but  said  they  would  like  the  apples  just  as 
well  without  that  stuff  around  them.  I  told  them  the 
doctors  said  it  was  good  for  them.  There  was  no  need 
saying  how  plenty  tapioca  was  and  how  scarce  apples  were. 
The  man  in  charge  of  the  store  room  said,  'What  do  you 
do  with  these?'  showing  little  bags  of  dried  elderberries. 
I  knew  people  did  use  them,  but  I  never  had  seen  or  tasted 
one.  I  said,  'Give  some  to  me  and  some  jelly/  So  I  saw 
to  the  stewing  and  the  seasoning  with  jelly,  and  had  the 
cook  make  pies  for  the  nurses.  Their's  is  a  hard  berth,  and 
they  were  so  grateful.  Give  a  Hoosier  man  a  pie!  One 
evening  the  ghost  of  a  man  was  flitting  in  and  out  of  the 
shadow  of  the  stairway  in  the  hall.  At  last,  when  I  was 
passing,  he  got  up  courage  enough  to  say,  'Could  I  have 


"I  WAS  SICK  AND   YE  VISITED  ME"  193 

a  piece  of  pie?  I  go  home  to-morrow.'  As  if  they  would 
not  feed  him  on  pie  there. 

"On  Sunday,  as  much  as  I  could,  I  went  around  and 
read  from  the  Bible  or  hymn  book.  Once  when  I  read  the 
Thirty-seventh  Psalm  one  man  said,  'Where  is  that?' 
Truly  it  had  never  seemed  so  impressive  to  me.  One 
Sunday  I  was  going  through  the  hall  and  met  one  of  the 
doctors  rubbing  his  hands  and  saying,  'It  is  wonderful 
what  a  woman  can  do.'  Once  when  I  was  reading  a  hymn 
to  a  sick  soldier  another  said,  'I  shouldn't  wonder  if  she 
could  sing.'  So  I  sang.  A  dying  man,  who  had  noticed 
nothing,  evidently  heard  it.* 

"The  fame  of  our  Christmas  dinner  went  through  all 
the  churches  and  storeroom  hospitals,  and  they  spoke  of 
it  so  enviously  that  I  said,  'I  will  come  around  and  give 
a  dinner  out  of  the  best  you  have  to  every  one  of  you.' 
So  I  did.  The  church  next  me  was  the  Erysipelas  Hos 
pital.  I  dreaded  to  go  in  there.  One  man  said,  'Have  you 
any  more  of  that  stuff  you  used  to  fix  with  apples  when  I 
was  in  your  hospital?'  I  said,  'I  do  not  remember  you. 
He  said,  T  am  the  one  you  gave  the  pillow  to.'  I  remem 
bered  then  that  when  two  men  were  brought  in,  I  said, 
'There  is  but  one  blanket  and  one  pillow.  I  shall  have  to 
give  the  blanket  to  one  man  and  the  pillow  to  the  other.' 

"Our  landlady,  hearing  so  much  of  the  sick  soldiers,  and 
wishing  to  know  what  was  going  on  in  her  town,  invited 
herself  to  go  around  with  us.  So  we  took  her  into  several 
houses.  There  were  thirteen  hospitals  in  all.  One  of  the 
most  direful  rooms  was  up  a  steep  and  narrow  stair;  a 
storeroom  over  a  store,  rough,  dark,  large,  with  low  ceil- 


:She  had  a  very  sweet  voice. 


194  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ing,  and  filled  to  the  utmost.  One  bright-eyed  soldier 
said,  'I  wish  I  could  get  well.  My  mother  needs  me;  my 
brother  died  in  the  army,  and  she  has  nobody  home  with 
her  but  a  brother  too  young  to  know  how  to  help  her 
much.'  He  never  got  home.  When  we  got  to  the  foot  of 
the  stairs  our  companion's  strength  was  gone,  and  she 
leaned  against  the  house  and  said,  'Oh  Lordy!'  How  often 
I  have  thought  the  same  thing. 

"When  the  road  was  broken  what  longing  there  was  for 
letters.  We  wrote  many  for  the  sick.  When  the  road  was 
open  he  was  happiest  who  got  the  most.  One  old  man  for 
whom  I  had  written  had  been  longing  to  hear.  I  said 
'Why,  you  got  a  letter.'  'Yes,  but  it  didn't  tell  no  news.' 
He  never  got  home  either.  His  wife  wrote  me  a  grateful 
letter  after  I  got  back.  They  were  Kentuckians. 

"The  kitchen  like  all  Southern  kitchens  was  away  from 
the  house.  I  was  standing  in  the  door  one  morning  when 
I  saw  Lew  spring  from  his  horse.  While  he  was  tying  the 
animal  to  a  sapling,  two  men  were  talking.  'Do  you  bet 
he'll  go  round  and  come  through  the  house,  or  make 
straight  for  his  mother  through  that  mud?  I'll  bet  he'll 
pull  straight  through.'  I  felt  a  little  anxious,  but  here  he 
came  through  the  soft  deep  mud  straight  as  an  arrow  to 
the  mark. 

"They  must  have  a  visit  from  us  at  Pilot  Knob.  So  we 
were  taken  down  in  their  coach  and  four,  which  was  an 
army  wagon.  Found  their  parlor,  bed  room  and  all  the 
premises  swept  and  garnished.  The  Captain  had  vacated 
his  tent  for  us.  Jerry,  his  servant,  had  brought  home  a 
turkey  for  the  occasion,  to  his  surprise.  'Why,'  said  the 
Captain,  'where  did  you  get  this?'  'I  was  jis  gwine  long  and 
he  up  and  bit  me.  I  wasn't  gwine  to  have  none  of  that,  so  I 


"I  WAS  SICK  AND   YE  VISITED  ME"  195 

jis  captured  him.'  So  we  had  roast  turkey  with  corn  bread 
dressing.  We  enjoyed  it  all  sitting  on  boxes  around  the 
table  out  of  doors.  The  view  was  fine. 

"On  our  return  to  Gallatin  we  found  that  our  escort, 
Lew  and  his  friends,  would  be  late  in  getting  back  to  Pilot 
Knob,  and  he  had  not  the  countersign.  What  could  he  do? 
Miss  Bates,  who  had  the  courage  for  any  emergency,  said, 
I'll  go  into  the  office  and  ask.  An  officer  gave  it  to  her  on 
a  scrap  of  paper  and  said,  'Now  what  if  he  should  be  at 
tacked  on  the  way  back?  Do  you  realize  the  risk?  If 
they  should  get  this  it  would  go  like  light,  and  bring  us  no 
end  of  trouble.'  'I  understand,'  she  said,  'he  will  swallow 
it.' 

"After  the  Hartsville  fight  eight  men  were  brought  in 
with  their  legs  shot  off  above  the  knee,  two  to  our  hospital. 
One  died  immediately,  the  other  lingered  on.  The  artery 
was  tied  again  and  again,  but  would  still  slough  off.  Then 
he  lay  white  and  still;  might  bleed  to  death  at  any  moment. 
I  read  hymns,  placing  myself  so  that  the  sound  of  my  voice 
might  surely  reach  him,  and  he  not  see  the  distressed  sym 
pathy  in  my  face.  In  reading  'O  Mother  Dear,  Jerusa 
lem,'  when  I  would  come  to  that  line,  'O  God,  if  I  were 
there,'  it  thrilled  me  so  I  could  hardly  bear  it.  When  I 
read,  'On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  stand,'  I  thought  I  heard 
a  sound,  but  he  was  so  weak  I  did  not  like  to  ask  if  he 
spoke,  when  a  nurse  sitting  on  the  floor  by  the  fire,  with 
head  all  shaven  from  erysipelas,  and  face  all  discolored 
with  iodine,  said:  'He  said  read  it  again.'  .There  was  an 
old  green  house  on  our  ground.  About  all  that  was  left 
was  a  rose  geranium  'blooming  alone.'  I  daily  plucked 
some  of  those  leaves  and  took  to  him.  They  looked 
green  and  fresh  and  their  fragrance  is  rare.  The  nurse 


196  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

said,  'He  held  them  in  his  fingers  all  night  long.'  I  came 
in  one  morning,  he  was  not  there.  The  nurse  said,  'He 
held  on  to  them  greens  to  the  last,  and  told  me  I  was  to 
give  his  respects  to  you.' 

"Brother  sent  in  to  me  to  come  down  again  to  Pilot 
Knob,  as  Robert  Cathcart  was  very  sick.  He  took  me  to 
a  cabin  that  I  should  think  had  been  there  in  George  Wash 
ington's  time.  They  had  got  a  kind  of  a  lounge  for 
Robert,  but  he  had  to  lie  with  his  head  to  the  fire.  When 
I  was  starting  our  Doctor  said  take  everything  you  want. 
So  I  did.  I  thought  rice  would  be  good  for  them.  But 
as  I  was  opening  my  stores,  my  brother  looking  on,  said 
of  the  rice,  'You  might  as  well  pour  that  out;  the  boys  have 
had  so  much  they  are  sick  of  it.'  One  half  of  the  cabin  was 
shut  off  by  a  board  across,  and  inside  of  that  was  covered 
with  straw,  so  those  who  were  nearly  down  sick  could  sleep 
there  better  than  in  their  tents.  One  coughed  so  badly 
I  didn't  see  how  anybody  could  sleep.  I  watched  the  sick 
man,  and  the  process  of  getting  supper.  It  was  mostly 
flapjacks,  flour  stirred  up  in  cold  water,  a  little  salt,  then 
poured  into  a  long  handled  frying  pan,  well  greased  and 
hot.  When  thought  to  be  brown,  by  a  sleight  of  hand, 
which  must  have  been  learned  from  the  darkies,  the  cook 
gave  the  pan  a  toss  and  turned  it  over.  I  was  so  stunned 
with  the  idea  of  their  eating  such  food  that  I  did  not  notice 
what  else  they  had.  Yes,  black  coffee  strong  as  lye.  And 
these  boys  and  men  made  their  supper  and  slept  so.  John 
Cleland  among  them  as  white  as  a  sheet. 

"The  next  morning  Brother  and  I  sat  on  a  pile  of  limbs 
and  held  a  consultation.  'Do  you  see  that  farm  house 
away  off  there?'  'Yes.'  'Now  I  think  we  could  get  you 
and  Robert  in  there.  Would  you  be  willing  to  stay  there 


"I  WAS   SICK  AND   YE  VISITED   ME"  197 

and  take  care  of  him?  The  road  is  torn  up  so  his  sisters 
cannot  get  to  him.'  I  replied,  'I  would  not.  First,  I  would 
have  no  material  to  work  with;  next,  while  he  would  have 
the  best  attention  in  town,  I  can  do  so  much  good  beside/ 
I  really  felt  that  never  in  my  life  had  I  done  the  good  I 
was  doing  there.  'But,'  he  said,  'he  has  got  it  into  his 
head  that  no  man  gets  out  of  a  hospital  alive,  and  he  won't 
go.'  I  said,  'Say  nothing  to  him  about  it,  but  get  every 
thing  ready,  and  lift  him  right  into  the  cart.'  I  do  not 
know  what  Robert  thought,  his  eyes  looked  very  bright. 
They  fixed  a  nice  bed  and  carried  him  out  and  laid  him  in. 
I  put  my  veil  over  his  face  to  shield  him  from  the  bright 
sunlight.  Our  horse  was  an  old  white  one,  and  the  har 
ness  was  made  of  old  clothes  lines. 

"The  soldiers  were  out  on  a  grand  parade  as  we  neared 
town.  The  music  set  our  horse  to  dancing,  and  our  cart 
would  tip  most  uncomfortably.  So  grand  and  imposing 
was  the  sight  of  the  review,  it  seemed  to  me  it  must  be  the 
whole  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  Is  there  a  finer  sight? 
The  horses  seem  made  for  the  men,  and  the  men  for  the 
horses.  Their  arms  glittered  in  the  sunlight,  the  horses 
seemed  to  know  it,  bowed  their  necks  and  pranced  in  their 
proud  gladness.  But  our  poor  nag  was  not  accustomed 
to  such  magnificence,  and  we  for  protection  against  his 
antics  had  to  back  up  among  the  convalescents  by  a  church 
hospital,  so  closely  wedged  in  we  could  not  move,  Frank 
Gillett  holding  him  by  the  mouth.  Miss  Bates,  who  was 
looking  out  of  the  window  at  us,  overheard  two  soldiers 
talking.  One  said,  pointing  to  our  cart,  'That's  one  of 
them  nurses.  Now  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  she  rode  in  her 
own  carriage  at  home.'  When  we  got  to  my  hospital  they 
came  out  and  carried  Robert  most  tenderly  upstairs  into 


I98  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

the  best  room  in  the  house.  After  he  was  fixed  I  sat  down 
on  a  window  sill  in  the  hall  and  how  I  did  cry.  I  had  taken 
the  whole  responsibility  on  myself,  but  what  a  good  be 
ginning.  One  morning  I  was  in  his  room,  the  door  open 
ed  and  a  voice  called  out,  'Did  -  -  die  in  this  room? 
My  heart  stood  still.  I  glanced  at  Robert.  His  startled 
eyes  shone  through  his  bushy  hair.  When  the  nurse 
answered,  'No,  we  don't  die  in  this  room,'  what  a  relief! 

"It  was  difficult  to  get  things  palatable;  however,  the 
worst  was  better  than  camp  life  fare.  I  would  have  the 
bread  toasted,  the  meat  would  have  to  be  boiled;  of  course 
the  water  was  rich  and  nutritious.  There  was  no  way  to 
manage  soup,  so  the  toast  was  dipped  in  this  water  and 
served  as  quickly  as  possible.  Then  I  had  them  cut  off 
slices  of  raw  beef,  and  those  who  sat  around  the  fire  put 
them  on  long  sticks  and  thus  broiled  them.  They  looked 
good  and  formed  a  change  from  the  everlasting  boiled  beef. 
One  day  the  bread  was  raw,  it  could  not  be  eaten,  so  I 
went  all  through  with  a  small  allowance  of  crust  and  asked 
if  they  knew  it  was  fast  day?  *  *  * 

"I  have  always  been  thankful  for  the  privilege  of  doing 
what  I  did.  I  have  often  heard  women  say  they  could  not 
realize  there  had  been  a  war.  I  can." 

Mrs.  Ketcham,  Madam:  As  I  had  not  an  opportunity  of 
seeing  you  before  you  left,  I  take  pleasure  in  expressing  to 
you  by  letter  the  thanks  that  I  feel  you  ought  to  receive  for 
your  kindness  in  visiting  our  post,  and  for  the  care  and  atten 
tion  you  gave  the  sick  in  the  different  hospitals  under  my 
charge.  You  came  at  a  time  when,  above  all  others,  your 
services  were  most  needed.  Our  hospitals  were  but  just 
organized.  We  had  but  four  surgeons;  few  and  incompetent 
attendants;  our  wards  filled  to  overflowing.  We  had  scarcely 
any  cooking  utensils,  indeed  none  of  the  conveniences  neces- 


"I  WAS  SICK  AND   YE  VISITED  ME"  199 

sary  for  the  comfort  and  cleanliness  of  a  general  hospital. 
Everything  looked  wretched  and  discouraging  in  the  extreme. 

Yourself  and  our  dear  Miss  Bates  lent  yourselves  nobly  to 
the  work.  We  began  to  advance  in  the  way  of  improvement 
from  that  time.  Cleanliness,  cooking,  neatness,  all  grew  bet 
ter,  and,  last  but  not  least,  the  men  began  to  be  more  cheer 
ful,  because  there  was  a  woman  around,  two  of  them  in  fact, 
and  working  women  at  that.  Many  a  soldier  now  in  the 
field  will  remember  with  gratitude  the  kindness  received  at 
your  hands;  and  many  of  our  gallant  dead  have  been  soothed 
and  comforted  in  their  dying  hour  by  your  presence  and 
thoughtful  attention. 

Allow  me,  Madam,  in  behalf  of  the  sick  you  have  so  kindly 
attended,  and  of  the  surgeons  and  officers  of  the  different  hos 
pitals  whom  you  have  so  materially  assisted,  to  tender  you  our 
most  hearty  thanks.  Hoping  that  you  may  ever  have  friends 
as  kind  to  you  as  you  have  been  to  us,  that  your  life  may  be 
long,  happy  and  useful,  and  that  God  in  his  mercy  may  choose 
you  for  His  own  in  death, 

Most  respectfully,  ever  your  friend, 

S.  M.  HAMILTON, 
Medical  Director,  Gallatin,  Tenn. 

J.  E.  Cleland:  "It  must  have  been  the  summer  of  '63 
when  Harry  Meteer  of  Company  I,  was  sent  to  the  hospital 
with  the  malady  which  carried  so  large  a  proportion  of  our 
army  to  the  lazar  house  and  beyond.  The  doctors  diag 
nosed  an  ulcer  on  every  quarter  inch  of  his  intestinal  gear 
ing.  His  digestive  apparatus  couldn't  turn  a  wheel,  and  he 
was  strictly  forbidden  to  swallow  anything  but  toast  and 
boiled  milk,  but  he  had  a  howling  and  continuing  craving 
for  all  real  and  imaginary  food,  like  a  chronic  drunkard 
ravenous  for  drink.  Quantities  of  microby  water,  butter 
milk,  hard  fried  eggs,  green  vegetables  and  fruits  were 
devoured  on  the  sly,  when  occasion  could  be  found.  The 


200  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

surgeons  were  amazed,  and  the  nurses  horrified,  as,  from 
his  own  mouth  and  other  sources,  damaging  evidence  of 
his  transgressions  abundantly  flowed.  Daily  he  wasted 
away,  until  there  was  left  little  promise  in  him  of  any 
further  soldierly  or  other  value.  Only  the  regulation 
amount  of  bones  and  enough  hide  to  hold  them  together 
were  left. 

"Some  flattering  obituary  notices  of  him  circulated  in 
the  North  and  drifted  back  to  camp,  but  he  thought  it 
hardly  worth  while  to  make  any  denial,  as  a  little  previous- 
ness  was  all  that  seemed  the  matter  with  the  necrological 
facts.  His  soul,  or  some  other  organ  of  his  inner  empti 
ness  cried  out  for  relief  of  some  kind,  and  even  death 
seemed  less  grim  and  forbidding  than  of  old.  The  sick 
were  expected  to  eat  what,  and  only  what,  the  surgeons 
prescribed,  and  Hobson,  the  nurse,  was  faithful  to  his  trust 
and  to  the  doctors.  So  when  Meteer  was  heard  to  crunch 
green  apples  in  the  stillness  of  the  night,  and  when  a  large 
supply  of  half-grown  fruit  was  found  under  his  pillow,  the 
wrath  of  Hobson  was  consuming.  He  not  only  predicted 
death,  but  seemed  to  derive  some  satisfaction  in  the  antici 
pation.  In  reply,  Meteer,  in  a  thin,  but  resolute  voice, 
squeaked  out,  'I  may  die,  but  I  will  not  die  empty,  and  here 
goes  for  the  rest  of  that  peck  of  apples.'  He  refused  to 
furnish  the  fulfillment  of  Hobson's  prophecy,  and  his  voice, 
now  full  and  strong,  may  still  be  heard  every  Sunday 
preaching  to  other  sinners,  in  Utah,  if  you  happen  to  pass 
that  way.  The  medical  moral  of  this  would  seem  to  be, 
that  unripe  apples  are  good  for  some  sick  soldiers,  at  some 
times,  under  some  circumstances. " 

D.  M.  Ransdall,  Company  G:  "At  Resaca  I  was  stand 
ing  on  my  left  foot  and  right  knee,  engaged  in  putting  a 


"I  WAS   SICK  AND   YE  VISITED   ME"  2OI 

percussion  cap  on  my  gun,  the  piece  resting  across  my  left 
leg,  my  left  hand  holding  the  cap,  and  my  right  the  gun, 
with  my  thumb  on  the  hammer,  which  was  drawn  back.  I 
was  thinking  of  but  one  thing,  and  that  was  to  get  ready  to 
shoot  as  quickly  as  possible.  I  had  forgotten  all  about 
danger.  Just  as  I  got  the  cap  on  I  had  a  sudden  sensation 
as  though  I  had  been  struck  a  smart  blow  across  my  right 
wrist  with  a  stick.  The  next  instant  the  gun  fell  out  of 
my  hand  and  I  noticed  the  blood  gushing  in  spurts  from 
the  wrist.  Physiology  having  been  one  of  my  favorite 
studies  in  Franklin  College,  from  which  I  had  entered  the 
army,  I  knew  at  once  that  an  artery  had  been  cut,  and  I 
seized  the  forearm  above  the  wound  with  my  left  hand,  and 
compressed  it  so  as  to  stop  the  hemorrhage.  I  felt  little 
pain  owing,  I  suppose,  to  my  excitement. 

"Being  now  disarmed  and  wounded,  and  so  unable  to 
continue  the  fight,  I  began  to  realize  something  of  the  sur 
rounding  dangers  and  my  peril  from  them.  Looking 
about  me  as  best  I  could  under  the  circumstances  I  reached 
the  conclusion  that  the  proper  time  had  come  for  me  to  re 
tire,  and  that  if  I  did  not  get  away  with  some  expedition  I 
might  be  killed  or  captured.  While  I  still  hesitated  I 
noticed  Tom  Clark  of  my  company,  not  more  than  four 
feet  away  on  the  right.  He  was  lying  on  his  stomach,  with 
head  up  and  gun  presented,  evidently  watching  for  a 
chance  to  make  an  effective  shot.  As  I  looked  at  him  a 
ball  struck  him  in  the  throat,  and  as  it  entered  his  vitals,  he 
uttered  such  a  hideous  scream  as  I  never  heard  before  or 
since.  It  killed  him  instantly.  I  waited  no  longer. 

"This  incident  decided  my  course  and  accelerated  my 
movements.  I  could  see  no  place  of  refuge.  The  few 
trees  there  already  protected  all  they  could  cover.  There 


202  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

were  bushes,  but  they  afforded  no  shelter,  the  most  of  them 
having  already  been  cut  off  by  the  bullets,  as  though  a 
woodman  had  passed  through  with  an  ax.  It  was  certain 
death  to  stand  up,  the  balls  were  flying  so  thickly.  But 
one  way  of  escape  presented  itself  and  that  I  adopted. 
Lying  down  flat  on  the  ground  I  proceeded  to  roll  down 
the  hill  the  best  way  I  could.  I  think  it  must  have  been 
nearly  one  hundred  yards.  When  I  reached  the  foot  I  got 
up  and  ran  across,  and  down  the  valley  still  holding  my 
arm.  It  seems  a  miracle  that  I  escaped  being  hit  again, 
for  the  bullets  were  humming  through  the  air  in  a  fearful 
way.  I  followed  the  valley  a  short  distance  until  a  bend 
to  the  left  took  me  to  a  place  of  safety.  As  I  passed  on  I 
encountered  General  Hooker,  who  was  sitting  on  a  horse, 
with  his  feet  out  of  the  stirrups,  studying  a  map.  'My 
boy,'  said  he  in  a  kindly  voice,  'you  are  wounded.  You 
will  find  an  ambulance  to  take  you  to  the  hospital  by  fol 
lowing  this  road/ 

"I  had  not  proceeded  far  when  I  met  our  chaplain,  Rev. 
Archibald  C.  Allen,  one  of  the  best  men  that  ever  lived. 
He  was  provided  with  lint  and  bandages,  and  at  once  took 
me  in  charge,  gently  binding  up  my  wounds,  and  then  mak 
ing  a  sling,  in  which  I  could  carry  my  arm,  suspended  it 
from  my  neck.  He  gave  me  explicit  instructions  how  to 
find  the  ambulance,  and  at  last  I  reached  it,  but  it  was  al 
ready  full.  The  driver  offered  me  a  seat  beside  him,  which 
I  accepted,  and  in  this  manner  was  conveyed  to  the  hos 
pital,  a  large  field  tent  in  the  woods,  and  I  think  nearly  two 
miles  from  where  I  was  wounded. 

"It  was  now  about  five  o'clock.  I  was  strong  and  vigor 
ous,  being  in  good  health  and  only  twenty  years  old,  and 
felt  so  little  apprehension  about  myself  now  that  I  was  safe- 


"I   WAS   SICK  AND   YE   VISITED   ME"  203 

ly  in  the  hospital,  that  I  went  about  looking  at  those  who 
appeared  to  be  worse  hurt  than  I  was,  and  assisting  to  ad 
minister  to  their  wants  in  various  ways.  Quite  a  number 
were  from  my  own  company  and  regiment,  and  their  con 
dition,  lying  there  so  helpless,  awakened  my  liveliest  sym 
pathy.  But  by  dark  my  wound  was  causing  me  much  pain. 
It  was  not  until  then  that  I  noticed  that  my  hand  had 
turned  black,  and  was  greatly  swollen.  It  had  not  oc 
curred  to  me  that  I  might  lose  my  arm  until  I  saw  the  sur 
geons  cutting  off  the  limbs  of  others.  When  I  realized 
this  danger,  I  hastened  to  Dr.  Reagan,  our  regimental  sur 
geon,  and  asked  him  to  examine  my  wound.  As  soon  as 
he  looked  at  it,  he  said  the  arm  would  have  to  be  ampu 
tated  to  save  my  life.  The  minie  ball  in  passing  through 
the  wrist  the  long  way  had  knocked  out  the  bones  of  the 
joint,  and  made  a  bad  wound.  I  had  faith  in  our  surgeon, 
but  the  idea  that  I  must  lose  my  arm  was  so  preposterous 
that  I  was  not  satisfied  until  I  went  to  the  brigade  surgeon, 
Dr.  Potter,  who  confirmed  what  Dr.  Reagan  had  said.  I 
cannot  describe  my  feelings,  when  I  fully  understood  that 
I  was  really  to  lose  my  good  right  arm.  I  was  only  a  boy, 
with  my  own  way  to  make  in  the  world,  and  to  be  thus  dis 
abled  at  the  start,  depressed  me  as  no  words  can  express. 
The  present  suddenly  grew  very  dark,  and  my  whole  future 
appeared  to  be  blotted  out.  And  yet,  as  I  thought  it  over, 
the  feeling  came  back  that  life  was  still  dear  to  me.  The 
surgeons  had  pronounced  it  a  choice  between  life  and 
death,  and  I  chose  the  former. 

"When  all  was  ready  I  went  to  the  dissecting  table, 
where  chloroform  was  administered  and  the  limb  taken  off 
midway  between  the  wrist  and  elbow.  It  was  the  first 
operation  performed  after  the  candles  were  lighted.  As  I 


204  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

came  to  consciousness,  I  experienced  a  most  delicious  sen 
sation.  I  felt  as  though  I  had  been  floating  for  hours  in  a 
place  given  up  wholly  to  a  delightful  existence.  It  was 
some  time  before  I  noticed  my  pain,  and  then  it  was  only 
slight;  but  the  next  day  it  was  severe  enough.  I  was  also 
uncomfortable  otherwise,  being  compelled  to  lie  flat  on  my 
back,  with  nothing  but  a  rubber  blanket  under  me. 

"The  first  night  a  sergeant  of  my  company  came  and  said 
that  he  had  seen  my  brother  Wharton  shot  and  killed  dur 
ing  the  engagement.  This  added  greatly  to  my  unhap- 
piness.  I  had  not  only  lost  my  arm,  but  also  my  brother. 
The  thought  was  agony.  The  next  day  as  I  awoke  out  of 
a  deep  sleep,  I  became  dimly  conscious  that  a  familiar  form 
was  bending  over  me,  and  when  at  last  my  eyes  were  fully 
opened,  I  discovered  who  it  was.  It  was  my  brother!  So 
firmly  was  the  idea  of  his  death  fixed  in  my  mind  that  for  a 
moment  it  seemed  as  if  I  myself  must  be  in  the  spirit  land, 
but  when  he  said  'Dan,'  in  the  well  remembered  voice,  I 
knew  that  we  were  both  still  in  the  flesh,  and  my  joy  was 
boundless.  I  had  given  up  all  hope  of  ever  experiencing 
such  a  sensation  again,  and  this  reaction  made  the  enjoy 
ment  all  the  greater.  My  brother  who  was  dead,  was  now 
alive.  All  else  was  forgotten  in  the  ecstasy  produced  by 
this  knowledge.  It  afterward  transpired  that  the  sergeant 
who  had  brought  me  the  false  report  of  his  death  had  re 
ceived  a  slight  concussion  of  the  brain  from  a  shot  or  shell, 
and  for  a  time  was  partially  demented,  his  insanity  taking 
the  form  of  imagining  that  he  saw  different  members  of  his 
company  killed,  who,  in  fact,  remained  unhurt. 

"Presently,  when  I  had  recovered  a  little  from  my  ex 
citement,  I  asked  my  brother  to  lift  me  up  from  the  cot. 
Every  bone  in  my  body  ached,  and  I  felt  as  flat  as  a  wafer. 


"I  WAS  SICK  AND   YE   VISITED   ME"  205 

He  objected.  He  said  it  was  dangerous,  and  urged  me  to 
lie  still.  I  insisted,  and  at  last  commanded.  Finally  he 
yielded  and  called  a  nurse,  with  whose  assistance  I  was 
lifted  and  placed  upon  my  feet.  Then  I  fainted.  After 
this  experience  I  obeyed  orders,  and  kept  quiet,  but  the 
next  day  I  felt  much  better,  and  it  soon  became  apparent 
that  I  was  making  a  good  recovery.  I  progressed  so 
rapidly  that  I  was  able  to  sit  up  on  the  fourth  day  and  write 
a  letter  to  my  mother.  On  the  same  day  I  left  that  hos 
pital  and  went  to  another  at  Resaca,  whence,  after  a  few 
days  I  was  sent  by  rail  to  Chattanooga.  Two  days  later 
I  proceeded  to  Nashville.  The  surgeon  at  Chattanooga 
remonstrated,  declaring  that  I  was  not  able  to  stand  the 
journey;  but  I  was  determined  to  go,  and  he  talked  to 
heedless  ears.  I  was  homesick,  and  Nashville  was  in  the 
direction  of  home.  I  was  too  impatient  to  wait  for  a  hos 
pital  train,  and  took  a  passenger,  which  was  so  crowded 
that  three  persons  occupied  my  seat  much  of  the  time. 
We  were  a  day  and  a  night  making  the  journey,  and  the 
discomforts  were  great.  I  suffered  from  pain,  hunger  and 
thirst,  and  had  no  one  to  look  after  my  wants  in  any  way. 

"When  I  arrived  at  the  Nashville  hospital  my  appear 
ance  was  not  at  all  inviting.  I  was  coatless.  What  little 
clothing  I  had  on  was  ragged  and  dirty.  My  hair  was  long 
and  uncombed.  I  was  emaciated  to  a  degree  that  made  me 
look  cadaverous,  and  my  arm  having  been  neglected  for 
more  than  twenty-four  hours,  was  in  a  terrible  condition. 
I  was  suffering  by  this  time,  in  body  and  mind  in  a  way 
that  makes  me  shudder  even  now  as  I  recall  it.  I  was 
given  some  food,  and  an  hour  later  a  young  smart  Aleck 
surgeon  came  in.  He  looked  me  over  carelessly  as  I  lay 


206  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

on  a  cot,  and  his  first  question  was,  'What's  the  matter 
with  you?' 

'You  can  see  what  is  the  matter,'  I  answered  in  a  tone 
which  did  not  conceal  my  wrath  at  being  asked  such  a 
question.  'How  does  it  feel,'  was  the  next  interrogation, 
as  he  set  about  removing  the  bandages.  'It  feels  like  the 
nervous  toothache.'  'Did  you  ever  have  any  toothache 
that  was  not  nervous?' 

"This  play  upon  my  words  and  the  patronizing  tone  in 
which  he  spoke,  made  me  madder  than  ever.  I  was  ready 
to  swear.  'Where  were  you  shot?'  was  his  next  question. 
'Can't  you  see  it  was  through  the  wrist?'  'What  is  the 
nature  of  the  wound?'  By  this  time  he  had  the  bandage 
off  and  was  looking  at  it.  'A  minie  ball  passed  through 
the  corpus,  fracturing  both  the  ulna  and  the  radius,'  I 
answered. 

"Looking  at  me  sharply,  he  went  on  silently  with  his 
work  of  dressing  the  wound  for  two  or  three  minutes  and 
then  asked,  'Did  you  ever  study  medicine?'  'No,'  I 
answered  indignantly.  Then  I  broke  out,  'Do  you  think  a 
man  must  be  a  damned  fool  unless  he  has  studied  medi 
cine?'  He  gave  me  another  sharp  look  as  I  said  this,  but 
asked  me  no  more  questions.  When  he  had  completed  his 
task  he  went  away.  Not  long  afterward  a  sweet  faced  sis 
ter  of  charity  came,  and  said  that  she  had  been  sent  by  the 
surgeon  to  take  care  of  me,  with  instructions  to  give  me 
every  attention.  My  swearing  seemed  to  have  had  a  good 
effect  on  the  smart  young  surgeon,  as  similar  utterances 
are  reputed  to  have  upon  the  army  mule. 

"I  shall  never  forget  the  good  woman  he  sent  to  me. 
She  nursed  me  faithfully  and  tenderly.  Every  tone  of  her 
low  voice,  every  touch  of  her  gentle  hand,  every  look  of 


"I  WAS   SICK  AND   YE   VISITED  ME"  207 

her  sympathetic  eyes  was  an  inspiration  to  get  well,  so  that 
I  was  soon  on  the  road  to  recovery  again.  In  a  few  days  I 
had  improved  so  much  that  I  was  forwarded  to  the  hospital 
at  Jeffersonville,  Indiana.  This  time  I  traveled  in  a  hos 
pital  train,  equipped  with  every  convenience  and  comfort 
for  patients,  and  provided  with  surgeons  and  nurses. 

"I  had  been  only  three  days  at  Jeffersonville  when  my 
father  found  me.  He  tried  to  conceal  his  emotion  as  he 
approached  me;  but  the  mingled  expressions  of  tenderness 
and  anxiety  on  his  face  were  such  that  they  remain  photo 
graphed  on  my  mind  to  this  day.  He  was  as  much  re 
joiced  to  find  me  as  I  was  to  see  him. 

"On  the  ninth  of  June,  twenty-four  days  after  I  was 
wounded,  I  reached  the  hospital  at  Indianapolis,  and  the 
next  morning  my  mother,  who  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
Bethel,  some  eight  miles  away,  was  at  my  side.     She  wept 
as  she  looked  at  what  remained  of  my  arm,  but  she  wiped 
away  her  tears  and  rejoiced  when  she  had  time  to  realize 
that  my  life  had  been  spared.     It  was  not  so  sad  to  have 
me  brought  home  a  cripple,  as  it  would  have  been,  had  I 
come  a  corpse,  as  was  the  case  with  so  many  who  had  gone 
away  with  me  to  the  war.       As  she  reflected  on  this  it 
brought  her  relief.     I  confess,  too,  that  I  found  it  a  subject 
of  no  little  congratulation  to  be  safely  at  home,  after  the 
scenes  of  death  and  suffering  through  which  I  had  passed." 
A  lad  who  entered  the  hospital  at  Resaca  gives  an  ex 
perience  that  reflects  little  credit  on  the  refinement,  the  dis 
cernment  and  the  sympathy  of  an  attending  surgeon.     On 
the  morning  of  the  battle,  this  boy  had  put  on  a  striped 
shirt  that  had  not  been  worn  before,  the  colors  of  which 
were  anything  but  fast.     During  the  battle,  while  he  was 
lying  as  close  to  the  ground  as  possible,  with  his  face  to  the 


208  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

enemy,  an  enfilading  bullet  perforated  his  body  in  such  a 
way  as,  without  touching  a  bone,  to  make  four  painful  but 
not  serious  wounds.  The  previous  long  march  through 
the  heat  and  dust,  the  race  up  hill,  the  perspiration  conse 
quent,  and  the  flow  of  blood,  extracted  all  the  colors  from 
the  shirt  and  imparted  them  to  his  person,  so  that  his  ap 
pearance  was  frightful  beyond  description.  While  he  was 
lying  on  his  face  in  the  hospital  a  group  of  doctors  passed 
through,  deciding  what  cases  demanded  immediate  atten 
tion.  One  of  them  threw  back  the  blanket  that  covered 
him  and  exclaimed,  'There's  no  use  doing  anything  for  this 
fellow!  He's  mortified  already."  Even  now  the  veteran 
in  telling  the  story  admits  a  lingering  feeling  of  mortifica 
tion  caused  by  the  rude  act  and  unfeeling  language  of  the 
physician. 

In  an  interview  with  A.  W.  Reagan,  Surgeon  of  the 
Seventieth  Indiana,  the  following  facts  were  elicited. 
"There  were  five  assistant  surgeons  mustered  into  the 
service  at  different  times,  but  most  of  them  resigned  after 
a  few  months.  Dr.  John  M.  White,  who  came  to  stay,  was 
a  man  of  mild  disposition,  always  attentive  to  his  duties  and 
very  kind  to  any  who  applied  to  him  for  help.  He  was  put 
in  charge  of  Hospital  No.  one  in  Gallatin,  where  in  failing 
health  he  continued  his  work  until  his  death. 

"Dr.  Jenkins  A.  Fitzgerald  came  to  the  regiment  while 
we  were  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  took  part  in  all  its  marches 
and  campaigns  to  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was  well  quali 
fied  and  faithful  in  his  duties,  and  as  brave  as  a  lion.  On 
the  first  day's  fight  at  Resaca,  he  went  to  the  front  line  to 
assist  some  of  the  wounded,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  them 
started  to  the  rear,  he  picked  up  a  gun  and  began  firing  at 
the  enemy.  He  received  a  wound  in  the  shoulder,  but 


"I   WAS   SICK  AND   YE   VISITED   ME"  209 

could  not  be  persuaded  to  leave  the  field,  and  finally  had  to 
be  ordered  to  the  rear.  After  the  war  ended,  he  was  ap 
pointed  Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  regular  army,  and  was 
filling  that  position  when  he  died  at  Washington  Barracks, 
Penn.,  in  1879. 

"The  morale  of  the  Seventieth  was  equal  to  that  of  any 
regiment,  and  superior  to  many,  and  the  physical  condition 
of  the  men  was  excellent.  The  Government  took  good 
care  to  have  on  hand  all  the  medicines  and  surgical  instru 
ments  we  required.  The  town  boys  were  less  likely  to  en 
ter  the  hospital  than  the  boys  who  came  from  the  country; 
for  instance,  the  members  of  Company  E,  who  came  largely 
from  the  city,  were  hard  to  get  into  the  hospital,  and  hard 
to  hold  in,  for  they  had  been  accustomed  to  taking  life  in 
a  rough  and  tumble  way,  hence  did  not  yield  to  any  simple 
ailment;  whereas  the  country  boys  had  been  used  to  lead 
ing  a  quiet  life  in  their  homes,  hence  took  better  care  of 
themselves  when  sick.  The  town  boys  stood  disease  and 
hardship  better  for  the  first  half  of  the  service,  but  after 
that  the  difference  was  not  noticeable.  The  articles  of 
clothing  and  food  sent  from  home  by  friends  and  neighbors 
of  our  men  were  beneficial,  not  only  because  they  were 
needful,  but  as  an  assurance  that  the  people  at  home  were 
thinking  of  them,  they  were  an  encouragement  and  a 
stimulus. 

"There  was  but  little,  if  any,  profanity  among  the  men 
in  the  hospital ;  I  would  not  allow  it  in  the  first  place,  but 
the  men  were  not  inclined  to  indulge  in  it.  There  was  a 
great  difference  between  diseases  contracted  at  home  and 
in  the  field.  Those  contracted  in  the  field  were  of  greater 
intensity,  and  the  systems  of  the  men  were  less  able  to  bear 
the  disuses.  The  enervating  action  of  the  service  rendered 


210  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

the  men  less  able  to  resist  the  encroachments  of  disease. 
Some  of  our  men  died  from  want  of  fruits  and  vegetables 
while  we  were  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  The  men  es 
pecially  suffered  thus  while  we  were  encamped  in  and 
around  Gallatin  during  the  winter  and  spring  of  1862  and 
'63;  but  it  was  on  the  Atlanta  campaign  that  they  suffered 
most  for  the  want  of  vegetables.  Many  sickened  and  had 
to  be  sent  back,  some  to  die;  while  some  recovered  appar 
ently,  but  the  dregs  of  disease,  scurvy,  etc.,  were  in  their 
systems. 

"Not  alone  was  disease  difficult  to  deal  with  successfully, 
but  wounds  did  not  heal  kindly,  and  many  deaths  resulted 
from  the  unfavorable  situation.  If  the  systems  of  the  men 
had  been  in  good  healthy  condition,  as  is  the  case  with  peo 
ple  who  are  at  home,  and  have  sufficient  food,  fruit,  vege 
tables,  etc.,  many  who  died  from  wounds  and  disease  would 
have  got  well.  This  was  especially  noticeable  on  the  At 
lanta  campaign,  for  it  was  not  the  bullet  bringing  instant 
death  that  occasioned  the  greatest  loss,  but  the  privation, 
the  exposure,  the  want  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  that  ruined 
constitutions  and  gave  to  disease  and  wounds  fatal  termi 
nation.  There  were  cases  when  men  died  from  very  slight 
sickness  or  wounds,  and  it  was  not  surprising  to  the  phy 
sicians,  for  the  powers  of  resistance  to  disease  or  pain  had 
been  brought  to  a  very  low  ebb.  The  ration  at  no  time 
was  more  than  just  enough  to  maintain  life,  and  on  the  At 
lanta  campaign  it  did  not  come  up  to  this,  so  if  in  addition, 
one  will  take  into  consideration  the  exposure  to  the 
weather,  and  the  intense  strain  on  the  nervous  system,  it 
will  not  be  thought  strange  that  men  sometimes  died  from 
slight  causes,  or  that  those  who  survived  were  left  with  im 
paired  health  and  broken  constitutions. 


"I  WAS  SICK  AND  YE  VISITED  ME"  211 

"The  hospitals  were  often  so  close  to  the  front  line  in  a 
battle  as  to  be  endangered  by  the  shells,  and  even  the  minie 
balls  of  the  enemy.  This  was  the  case  especially  at  Kene- 
saw  Mountain  and  Averasborough,  where,  while  we  were  ex- 
aming,  operating  on  and  dressing  the  wounded,  shells 
passed  over  and  burst  beyond  us,  and  some  passed  close  to 
us,  and  often  burst  where  we  were  working.  Minie  balls 
rained  around  us;  we  did  not  stop,  but  worked  on,  taking 
our  chances.  The  rebels  who-  got  into  our  hospital  were 
treated  precisely  in  the  same  way  as  our  own  men. 

"When  we  were  in  camp  for  a  while  at  one  place,  the 
men  would  sicken,  and  the  hospitals  would  soon  be  full;  but 
as  we  moved  to  another  place,  or  started  on  the  march, 
health  improved  at  once.  In  fact  the  period  when  the  men 
enjoyed  the  best  health  was  on  the  longest,  hardest  march. 
More  died  from  typhoid  fever  than  from  any  other  disease. 
A  few  died  from  homesickness  pure  and  simple,  but  quite  a 
number  becoming  depressed  and  reduced  in  health  from 
that  cause,  proved  an  easy  prey  to  any  disease  to  which 
they  might  be  exposed.  Some  had  become  so  prostrated, 
before  a  discharge  could  be  secured,  that  they  died  after 
reaching  home. 

"The  convalescents  generally  wanted  to  return  to  camp, 
quite  a  large  proportion  before  they  were  well  enough. 
Not  more  than  three  per  cent  were  willing  to  remain  in  the 
hospital.  The  dying  often  expressed  themselves  as  being 
satisfied  with  having  given  their  lives  for  their  country. 
Chaplain  Allen  was  always  cheerful.  He  would  come  to 
the  hospital  and  speak  words  of  comfort  and  encourage 
ment  to  the  men. 

"The  day  that  made  the  most  vivid  impression  on  my 
mind,  was  the  day  we  left  Atlanta  on  the  March  to  the  Sea. 


212  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

After  reaching  the  outskirts,  I  stopped,  turned  and  looked 
back  at  the  ruined  city.  The  conflagration,  the  cutting 
loose  from  our  base  of  supplies,  the  going  whither  we  did 
not  know,  affected  me  profoundly.  Every  one  around  me 
was  deeply  impressed,  yet  all  seemed  to  be  inspired  by  the 
thought  that  they  were  to  have  a  part  in  a  great  under 
taking." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE   MARCH   TO   THE   SEA 

The  feeling  so  vividly  described  by  Dr.  Reagan  in  the 
last  chapter,  stirred  every  soul  as  Sherman's  army  moved 
away  from  the  ill-fated  city.  Even  now,  the  participants  in 
the  great  events  and  greater  results  immediately  following, 
have  no  language  to  describe  their  emotions, — they  only  say, 
the  incident  of  my  life  worthy  of  mention  is  the  March  to 
the  Sea. 

A  conversation  between  two  veterans  of  the  Seventieth 
Indiana  makes  a  revelation  more  luminous  than  any  de 
scription.  "Would  you  part  with  your  experience  for  a 
thousand  dollars?"  The  man  addressed  was  poor.  To 
him  a  hundred  dollars  was  a  large  sum.  "Well-a-why- 
no!"  "For  a  hundred  thousand?"  "Why,  no!"  "For  a 
million?"  "No!  There's  not  enough  money  in  the  world 
to  buy  from  me  the  consciousness  that  I  had  a  part  in  driv 
ing  the  dagger  into  the  heart  of  the  Rebellion."  Then  as 
if  he  thought  his  manner  had  been  too  boastful,  or  that  he 
might  be  plucking  a  leaf  from  General  Sherman's  laurels, 
he  added:  "God  knows  I  could  not  do  much,  for  I  was 
only  a  private,  but  I  did  what  I  could  in  the  death  blow  that 
made  the  Southern  soldiers  know  their  cause  lost;  Jeff 
Davis  could  not  protect  their  homes." 

As  to  the  envious  rivals  of  Columbus,  the  discovery  of 
America  seemed  an  easy  affair  after  its  execution,  so  now 
adays  this  expedition  is  sometimes  belittled  and  spoken  of 
as  a  holiday  excursion.  Lincoln  feared,  Grant  doubted. 
None  but  the  dauntless  Sherman  dared  put  fate  to  the 


213 


214  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

touch.  The  London  Herald  voiced  the  sentiment  of  the 
outside  world,  when  it  proclaimed :  "The  name  o*f  the 
captor  of  Atlanta,  if  he  fails  now,  will  become  the  scoff  of 
mankind,  and  the  humiliation  of  the  United  States  for  all 
time.  If  he  succeeds,  it  will  be  written  on  the  tablet  of 
fame  side  by  side  with  that  of  Napoleon  and  Hannibal." 
It  amazes  one  to  see  Americans  who  speak  of  Thomas' 
noble  qualities,  turn  aside  to  fling  a  stone  at  Sherman,  or 
Grant,  or  Sheridan.  The  four  were  great.  Why  try  to 
lift  one  hero  at  the  expense  of  another  illustrious  reputa 
tion? 

Altogether  Sherman's  army  numbered  62,204,  and  con 
sisted  of  the  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Seventeenth  and 
Twentieth  Corps,  and  two  divisions  of  the  Sixteenth  which 
were  assigned  to  the  Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps. 
The  artillery  trains  had  charge  of  sixty-five  field  guns. 
Each  soldier  carried  forty  rounds  of  ammunition,  and  in 
the  wagons  there  were  two  hundred  rounds  for  each  man. 
The  veterans  and  recruits  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Indiana, 
one  hundred  and  nineteen  in  number,  had  their  names 
transferred  to  the  rolls  of  the  Seventieth  on  November 
fifth,  but  they  did  not  join  the  regiment  until  the  morning 
after  the  start  from  Atlanta. 

It  is  interesting  to  read  the  following  frantic  Proclama 
tion  from  the  man  who  was  so  prominent  in  the  reduction 
of  Fort  Sumter. 

Corinth,  Nov.  18,  1864. 

To  the  People  of  Georgia:  Arise  for  the  defense  of  your 
native  soil!  Rally  round  your  patriotic  Governor  and  gal 
lant  soldiers!  Obstruct  and  destroy  all  roads  in  Sherman's 
front,  flank  and  rear,  and  his  army  will  soon  starve  in  your 
midst!  Be  confident  and  resolute!  Trust  in  an  overruling 


THE   MARCH   TO   THE   SEA  215 

Providence,  and  success  will  crown  your  efforts.     I  hasten  to 
join  you  in  defense  of  your  homes  and  firesides. 

G.  T.  BEAUREGARD. 

J.  M.  Wills:  "All  the  rations  we  drew  on  the  fifteenth 
of  November  was  plenty  of  coffee." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "It  was  nearly  dark  when  we  marched  out 
on  the  road  toward  Stone  Mountain,  as  we  were  the  last  of 
the  army  to  leave  Atlanta.  No  halt  was  made  during  the 
night,  nor  the  next  day,  nor  the  next  night,  but  only  such 
stops  as  were  necessary  to  allow  the  \vagon  trains  to  get 
out  of  a  mud  hole,  or  to  mend  a  broken  bridge.  Such 
pauses  afforded  no  time  for  cooking,  eating  or  resting. 
By  the  morning  of  the  second  day  we  were  tired  out,  and 
the  halt  then  only  lasted  a  few  hours.  The  weather,  as  a 
general  thing,  was  all  that  could  be  asked,  the  roads  were 
dry  and  usually  hard,  the  country  full  of  forage  of  almost 
every  kind,  corn,  sweet  potatoes,  the  finest  in  the  world, 
pigs,  fat  hogs,  cattle,  once  in  awhile  a  fat  goat,  honey, 
molasses,  and  during  the  last  two  weeks,  rice.  The  march 
ing  was  almost  continuous  night  and  day,  being  regulated 
by  the  movements  of  the  wagon  and  artillery  trains. 
When  the  nights  were  dark,  the  fences  along  the  road 
made  good  bonfires  to  march  by,  and  if  a  halt  of  a  few  min 
utes  was  assured  us,  the  opportunity  was  seized  to  make 
coffee,  to  boil  sweet  potatoes  and  meat,  and  even  to  cook  a 
pot  of  mush.  We  made  messes  no  cook  could  name,  but 
the  variety  of  food  added  a  spice  to  our  lives." 

Lieutenant  J.  I.  Wills:  "On  the  way  to  Savannah  our 
regiment  happened  when  we  had  an  all  night  march,  to  be 
in  the  rear  of  the  army.  About  midnight  we  passed  a  large 
house  which  was  on  fire  and  halted  for  a  few  moments  a 
hundred  yards  beyond.  The  air  was  very  chilly,  and  an  of- 


216  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ficer  who  was  marching  by  my  side  said,  'Let  us  go  back  to 
that  fire  to  rest/  but  I  answered,  'I  don't  intend  to  take  a 
backward  step  on  this  march  if  I  can  help  it.'  His  reply 
was,  'I  am  cold  and  I  am  going  back.'  Overcome  by 
fatigue  and  the  warmth,  he  fell  asleep,  and  as  he  was  one  of 
the  kind  a  cannon  or  an  earthquake  has  trouble  in  waking, 
the  regiment  marched  off  and  left  him.  When  he  awoke 
all  was  as  silent  as  the  grave.  He  was  in  a  horrible 
dilemma,  for  there  were  several  roads  leading  from  that 
house,  but  by  luck  the  right  one  was  taken.  He  said,  The 
rest  of  that  night,  and  until  he  caught  up  late  the  next  day, 
he  could  almost  feel  the  rope  tightening  around  his  neck, 
with  three  or  four  guerrillas  at  the  other  end.'  He  never 
slept  again  except  where  the  pulling  and  hauling  would  be 
done  by  friends." 

U.  H.  Farr:     'The  four  corps  marched  about  fifteen 
miles  apart,  and  that  afforded  an  opportunity  to  reach  a 
wide  extent  of  the  country  for  forage.     All  the  horses 
found  by  the  foragers  were  confiscated,  and  every  Bummer 
was  soon  well  mounted.     All  horses  not  so  needed  were 
turned  over  to  the  quartermaster's  department  for  the  use  of 
artillery,  or  wagon-trains,  and  the  cavalry;   and  at  Savan 
nah  the  horses  and  equipments  of  the  foragers  were  turned 
over  to  the  Quartermaster.    As  a  general  thing  no  horses 
or  cattle  could  be  found  on  the  plantations.    The  owners 
had  carried  them  away  on  our  approach,  to  the  thickly 
wooded  hills  or  to  the  islands  in  the  swamps.     In  these 
supposed  inaccessible  places  great  quantities  of  household 
plunder,  provisions,  poultry,  slaves,  and  white  women  and 
children  would  be  gathered,  but  the  Bummer,  directed  by 
the  loyal  negro,  would  always  find  them.     Provisions  in 
abundance,  such  as  hams,  and  valuables  of  every  kind,  both 


THE   MARCH   TO  THE   SEA  217 

on  the  farms  and  in  the  towns,  were  buried,  and  every 
device,  such  as  scattering  leaves  loosely  above,  or  building 
a  fire  over  the  spot,  adopted  to  throw  the  Bummers  off 
the  scent ;  but  the  prodding  ramrod  of  the  forager  would 
soon  divulge  the  secret. 

"Often  while  the  column  was  moving  along  monoton 
ously,  someone  would  begin  whistling  a  familiar  tune,  and 
instantly  it  would  be  taken  up  in  front  and  rear  by  hun 
dreds  of  men,  all  keeping  step  as  steadily  as  if  on  parade 
behind  the  finest  of  bands.  Sometimes  after  an  all-night 
and  all-day  march,  late  in  the  evening  this  strange  music 
would  fill  the  air,  when,  quick  as  a  flash,  the  drooping  men 
would  join  in  the  melody,  close  up  the  column  and  march 
as  buoyantly  as  if  they  had  just  risen  from  a  night  of  rest, 
and  the  enjoyment  of  a  feast.  As  dusk  approached,  the 
sight  of  men  in  camp  would  cheer  the  marchers  up,  but 
the  profanity  was  blasting,  as  mile  after  mile  was  added  to 
the  day's  journey,  to  be  ended  only  when  a  point  in  front 
was  reached  where  the  pontoniers  needed  protection  in 
their  bridge-building  work. 

"In  preparing  to  destroy  a  railroad,  a  brigade  or  division 
would  march  by  the  side  of  the  track,  form  in  line,  then 
stack  arms.  As  soon  as  the  spikes  at  each  end  of  the  line 
were  drawn,  the  men  would  lay  hold  of  the  ends  of  the 
ties  on  one  side  of  the  road,  and,  all  lifting  at  once,  the 
whole  affair  would  be  turned  over,  the  rails  going  under. 
Then  men  prepared  with  sledges  would  knock  the  rails 
off,  pile  the  ties  in  square  heaps  four  to  six  feet  high,  put 
the  rails  on  top  and  set  fire  to  the  mass.  As  soon  as  the 
rails  were  red  hot  they  would  twist  them  like  a  string,  or 
bend  them  around  a  tree  or  stump,  so  as  to  render  them 
useless,  except  as  old  iron  to  be  sent  to  a  rolling  mill  for 


2l8  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

restoration  to  the  original  shape.  Much  of  the  Chatta 
nooga  road  was  so  treated,  and  all  of  the  road  from  Atlanta 
to  Savannah. 

"While  at  Milledgeville,  the  State  Capital,  some  of  the 
boys  organized  a  mock  legislature,  chose  a  speaker,  dis 
cussed  and  adopted  patriotic  resolutions.  At  first  we  were 
amazed  at  the  sight  of  the  immense  knives  we  found  there, 
thousands  of  them,  but  finally  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
they  were  made  by  the  Confederates  to  fight  with  in  'the 
last  ditch/ 

At  Springfield,  twenty-five  miles  from  Savannah,  our 
brigade  was  hurried  forward  to  engage  some  rebel  cav 
alry,  said  to  be  in  some  force,  but  as  it  had  departed  when 
we  arrived,  we  encamped  on  the  edge  of  the  town.  Many 
of  the  citizens  were  at  home,  and  talked  with  the  boys,  say 
ing  that  the  war  was  not  nearly  at  an  end,  and  were  loud  in 
their  prophecies  as  to  the  future.  'You  will  find  you  can 
not  take  Savannah;  it  is  too  well  fortified.'  Some  of  our 
boys  were  back  at  Springfield  about  two  weeks  later  with 
wagons  gathering  up  forage  for  the  mules  and  horses  of 
the  army,  and  found  these  boasting  citizens  utterly  dum- 
founded.  They  now  felt  sure  Sherman's  army  could  whip 
anything. 

"As  we  approached  Savannah  the  troops  were  thrown 
into  line,  the  Twentieth  Corps  being  on  the  left,  and  ex 
tending  to  the  river  above  the  city.  Here  we  were  greeted 
by  the  heavy  guns  of  the  enemy  throwing  shell  and  solid 
shot.  At  the  part  of  the  line  occupied  by  us  there  was  a 
swamp  several  feet  deep,  and  our  skirmishers  occupied  one 
side  and  the  rebel  skirmishers  the  other.  Our  main  line 
of  works  was  some  two  or  three  hundred  yards  from  the 
swamp.  A  graded  road  had  furnished  passage  across  the 


THE   MARCH   TO   THE   SEA  219 

swamp,  but  the  several  bridges  in  the  dike  had  been  burned, 
and  at  the  farther  end  of  the  embankment  the  road  was 
defended  with  heavy  ordnance,  so  that  to  think  of  an 
assault  by  the  dike  would  have  been  madness.  Sappers  and 
miners,  assisted  by  details  from  each  command,  occupied 
the  nights  in  building  a  bridge  across  the  swamp,  prob 
ably  to  distract  the  attention  of  the  besieged  from  General 
Sherman's  real  design. 

"Much  rice  still  stood  in  the  shock,  and  the  negroes 
were  employed  to  thresh  and  hull  it.  We  were  kept  well 
supplied  with  this,  and  if  we  had  had  salt  to  season  it  there 
would  have  been  no  complaint.  As  soon  as  Fort  Mc 
Allister  was  taken,  tons  of  mail  were  delivered,  and  soon 
heavily  laden  wagons  were  winding  their  way  carrying 
provisions  to  the  troops,  and  long  lines  of  horses  and  mules 
were  seen  pulling  heavy  guns  to  different  positions  around 
the  city.  We  now  learned  for  the  first  time  of  the  election 
of  Lincoln." 

Other  diaries  and  letters  furnish  additional  information 
of  the  Georgia  invasion.  J.  M.  Wills:  "On  the  twenty- 
second  of  November  we  camped  near  Milledgeville.  We 
found  a  few  thousand  butcher  knives  with  blades  two  feet 
long.  A  great  many  of  the  boys  started  on  the  next  day's 
march  with  these  cheese-knives,  as  they  called  them,  hung 
to  their  sides  like  officers'  swords,  but  in  a  few  days  cast 
them  aside.  The  legislature  was  in  session  in  the  State 
House  and  no  one  was  eligible  to  be  a  representative  un 
less  he  was  a  member  of  Sherman's  army.  On  the  twenty- 
fourth  we  marched  toward  Sandersville,  twenty-six  miles 
away,  and  on  account  of  the  swamps  encountered,  it  took 
us  three  days.  We  camped  at  Sandersville  over  night  and 
left  on  the  twenty-seventh,  marching  toward  Louisville, 


220  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

where  we  rested.  On  the  third  of  December  we  found 
the  roads  strewn  with  fallen  timber.  It  did  not  take  us 
half  as  long  to  move  the  trees  out  of  the  road  as  it  took  the 
rebels  to  cut  them  down.  On  the  sixth  we  camped  at 
Effingham,  on  the  eighth  marched  to  Springfield  and  on 
the  tenth  came  up  to  the  outer  works  of  Hardee's  army 
at  Savannah.  In  a  few  days  Company  C  was  detailed  to 
go  with  the  Seventy-ninth  Ohio  fifteen  miles  south,  to 
King's  Bridge,  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Ogeechee 
River,  to  act  as  guards,  and  to  help  unload  supplies  for 
the  army,  the  first  we  had  drawn  since  leaving  Atlanta." 

J.  C.  Bennett:  "November  nineteenth  we  stopped  over 
for  one  day  to  wash  ourselves  and  our  clothes.  As  we  had 
but  one  suit,  and  the  weather  was  warm,  we  buttoned  up 
our  coats  while  we  washed  and  dried  our  other  garments." 

Wm.  Sharpe:  "As  we  entered  the  outskirts  of  the  Cap 
ital  of  Georgia,  we  saw  in  front  of  a  negro  shanty  a  white 
shirt  on  a  pole  floating  in  the  breeze  and  a  lot  of  negro  wo 
men  standing  around.  One  of  the  boys  called  out:  'Say, 
Dinah,  what  have  you  that  thing  up  there  for?'  'Why- 
why,'  said  she,  'that's  to  let  you'uns  know  that  we'uns  have 
surrendered !'  A  shout  went  up :  That's  a  good  joke  on 
Sherman's  army.'  A  negro  shanty  surrendering,  with  an 
old  white  shirt  as  a  signal,  made  us  feel  jolly." 

This  incident  from  the  same  journal  shows  how  easy  it 
was  for  officers  to  fall  out  over  a  trifling  infringement  of 
each  other's  rights,  and  the  amusement  afforded  the  men 
by  a  dispute  between  those  in  command:  "Not  many 
hours  after  leaving  Milledgeville  we  were  ordered  to  stack 
arms  on  the  same  camp-ground  where  Captain  Winegar's 
Battery  I,  First  New  York  Artillery,  lay.  Presently  the 
Captain  came  riding  up  with  drawn  sword  to  Colonel  Mer- 


THE   MARCH   TO   THE   SEA  221 

rill  of  our  regiment  and  commanded  him  to  move  his  men 
out  of  his  camp.  The  Colonel  replied  that  he  was  ordered 
to  stack  arms  right  here,  and  right  here  he  would  stay 
until  told  to  move  by  the  commanding  officer.  Captain 
Winegar  became  very  angry  and  said:  1  will  order  Gen 
eral  Slocum  to  move  you  out  of  here.'  Colonel  Merrill 
turned  around  to  him  with  a  big  smile  on  his  face  and  said: 
'Captain  Winegar,  it  does  look  as  if  you  would  try  to  order 
General  Slocum  around.'  We  boys  were  mightily  tickled, 
while  the  Captain's  own  men  began  to  catch  on,  and  joined 
in  a  good  hearty  laugh  at  their  commander.  The  enraged 
officer  disappeared  for  a  while,  then  returned  and  quietly 
moved  the  battery." 

Sharpe  thus  tells  how  a  soldier  supplies  himself  with 
honey:  "He  runs  his  bayonet  into  the  top  of  the  beehive, 
brings  his  gun  to  a  right  shoulder  shift,  and  takes  up  the 
double-quick  for  his  command,  leaving  the  bees  to  fly  out 
behind  as  he  runs."  Woe  to  the  man,  horse,  or  mule  that 
he  happens  to  pass.  He  might  have  told  of  a  lad  wrap 
ping  a  hive  in  a  blanket,  and  the  fun  he  had  when  the  curi 
ous  boys  unfolded  the  supposed  music  box ;  or  of  their  fun 
later  when  the  joker's  dreams  were  disturbed  by  a  few  bees 
that  had  stuck  to  the  blanket. 

The  members  of  our  regiment  had  a  great  affection  for 
the  men  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois,  and  the 
feeling  was  reciprocated,  but  this  did  not  prevent  the  play 
ing  of  jokes  at  each  other's  expense.  The  Seventieth  boys 
felt  quite  sure  they  knew  who  had  slandered  them,  and 
made  General  Ward  assert  in  his  forceful  way,  "I  swah  to 
God,  if  I  could  camp  over  night  with  the  Seventieth  in  the 
edge  of  Richmond,  there  would  be  nothing  for  Grant  to 
take  in  the  morning." 


222  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

The  following  stones  were  told  at  a  reunion  after  the 
war,  as  illustrating  this  disposition.  One  night  the  ropes 
of  the  sutler's  tent  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois 
were  cut,  and  from  the  ruins  cans  of  fruit,  cigars  and  some 
thing  stronger  than  his  tobacco  disappeared.  It  was  re 
ported  at  headquarters,  under  loud  protests  from  the 
accused,  however,  that  the  mischief  was  done  by  men  of 
the  Seventieth.  The  protesting  innocents  declared  that 
they  would  get  even  with  their  slanderous  friends. 

'The  patient  search  and  vigil  long 
Of  him  who  treasures  up  a  wrong" 

had  its  reward  on  the  March  to  the  Sea.    The  Seventieth 
foraging  party,  on  one  occasion,  had  separated  in  squads 
of  four.     The  men  of  one  squad  entered  an  outbuilding 
attached  to  a  large  dwelling,  and  finding  a  hogshead  filled 
with  molasses,  proceeded  to  stand  it  on  end,  knock  in  the 
head,  and  stock  their  canteens.    Just  as  they  had  finished, 
a  buxom  housemaid,  black  as  night,  rushed  in  at  the  com 
mand  of  her  mistress,  crying  "G'way  fum  heah !    Dese  our 
'lasses !"  at  the  same  time  striking  one  of  the  foragers  on 
the  head  with  an  oak  paddle,  so  that  he  staggered  against 
the  side  of  the  shed.     Recovering  himself,  he  called  out, 
"Let's  baptize  her,  boys,"  and  the  four,  seizing,  immersed 
her  in  the  syrup,  then  let  her  run.    As  they  emerged  from 
the  cabin,  the  foragers  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  ap 
peared  with  a  large  ox  wagon  they  had  pressed  into  the  ser 
vice,  and  shouted,  "What's  in  there,  boys?"     "Sorghum!" 
"Any  left?"     "Yes,  a  whole  barrel!"     In  a  twinkling  the 
hogshead  was  on  the  wagon.     That  night  there  was  much 
sweetness  in  the  mouths  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth 
boys,  but  much  bitterness  of  feeling  with  loss  of  appetite 


THE   MARCH   TO   THE   SEA  223 

the  following  day  when  told  of  the  cruel  joke.  Possibly 
history  repeats  itself  in  this  incident,  for  a  similar  experi 
ence  is  told  of  another  regiment. 

The  Georgia  forager,  a  unique  character  such  as  the 
world  has  never  seen  before,  coined  for  himself  the  name 
of  Sherman's  Bummer.  Just  at  sundown  there  would  join 
the  march  or  enter  the  camp  a  motley  collection  of  wag 
ons,  carts,  chaises,  buggies,  sulkies,  coaches,  anything  that 
had  wheels,  drawn  by  anything  that  could  pull.  At  the 
head  of  the  procession  would  be  an  ancient  family  carriage, 
drawn  by  a  goat,  a  cow  with  bell,  and  a  jackass.  Tied  be 
hind  would  be  a  sheep  and  a  calf,  while  the  vehicle  would 
be  loaded  down  with  pumpkins,  chickens,  cabbages, 
guinea  fowls,  carrots,  turkeys,  onions,  squashes,  a  shoat, 
sorghum,  a  looking-glass,  an  Italian  harp,  sweetmeats,  a 
peacock,  a  rocking  chair,  a  gourd,  a  bass  viol,  sweet  po 
tatoes,  a  cradle,  dried  peaches,  honey,  a  baby  carriage, 
peach  brandy  and  every  other  imaginable  thing  under  the 
sun  a  lot  of  fool  soldiers  could  take  in  their  heads  to  bring 
away.  Now  leading  the  goat,  now  mauling  the  cow  when 
ever  she  bawled,  would  be  a  gigantic  woman,  wearing  a 
bonnet  decked  with  ostrich  feathers,  a  silk  dress  coming 
down  to  her  knees,  a  pearl  necklace  encircling  her  throat, 
from  which  poured  forth  such  bloodcurdling  oaths  when 
ever  the  jackass  stopped  to  bray,  as  would  have  made  Satan 
shake  his  sides  in  rapturous  joy.  On  top  of  this  load 
would  be  a  man  with  an  antique  two-story  stovepipe  silk 
hat,  a  revolutionary  swallow-tailed,  shad-belly  coat,  black 
velvet  knee-breeches,  legs  hideously  bare,  who  pressed  to 
his  lips  a  six-foot  stage  horn  and  blew  as  if  his  name  was 
Gabriel  and  the  judgment  day  just  at  hand. 

December  fifteenth.     An  officer  writes:    "A  month  ago 


224  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

to-day  we  pushed  out  from  Atlanta  into  the  enemy's  coun 
try,  entirely  ignorant  of  our  destination.  Our  nightlong 
journey  was  gloomily  enlivened  by  the  flames  of  burning 
houses,  and  the  distant  explosions  beneath  the  ruined  city 
in  our  rear.  Nothing  I  have  ever  seen,  but  this  terrible 
night,  is  worthy  of  being  compared  to  that 

"  'Day  of  Wrath,  eventful  day, 
When  heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away.' 

"  'Dies  irac!  Dies  irae!'  filled  the  air,  and  fell  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  inhabitants  of  doomed  Georgia.  As  we  had 
only  three  days'  rations,  our  subsistence  had  to  be  taken 
entirely  from  the  country;  and  as  the  region  through  which 
we  passed  was  a  wealthy  one,  we  obtained  meal,  flour, 
pork,  beef,  chickens,  turkeys,  honey,  preserved  fruits,  sweet 
potatoes,  rice,  and,  indeed,  everything  you  can  think  of. 

"I  think  I  have  eaten  more  fowls  and  honey  on  this  trip 
than  in  all  my  life  before,  and  sweet  potatoes — well,  I've 
almost  had  enough. 

"The  boys  have  become  quite  fastidious  in  regard  to 
the  size  of  the  turkey,  claiming  that  a  ten-pound  yearling 
just  meets  a  man's  wants,  while  a  fifteen-pounder  may  be 
tough;  and  anyhow  is  ill-proportioned,  being  a  little  too 
much  for  one  man  and  not  quite  enough  for  two. 

"As  we  passed  along  the  road  near  Madison,  the  men 
found  an  outhouse  containing  several  casks  of  molasses. 
Hungry  stragglers  swarmed  around  like  bees,  swearing  and 
pushing  and  overturning  the  barrels.  A  beautiful  black- 
eyed  boy  of  four  years  sat  on  the  gate-post,  calling  out, 
'Come  out  of  there,  you  old  mean  Yanks,  you!  Oh,  goody! 
goody!  you  can't  get  the  chickens,  for  they're  under  the 
house!' 


THE   MARCH   TO   THE   SEA  225 

"While  we  were  entering  Milledgeville  an  old  black  wo 
man  cried,  'God  bless  you!  You've  come  at  last.  We've 
been  waitin'  for  you-all  more'n  four  years!' 

"The  usual  invitation  of  our  boys,  'Come  on,  Sambo! 
Come  on,  Dinah!'  was  responded  to  in  one  case  by  an  ebony 
female  rushing  into  the  ranks  with  a  'Yes,  I'se  gwine,  but 
some  of  you'uns  must  marry  me/ 

"A  fat  old  fellow  stood  by  his  lady  on  a  high  fence.  As 
his  eye  caught  me,  he  cried  out,  'Oh,  dar's  de  Capting!' 
winding  up  with  a  locomotive  yell,  and  a  backward  tumble. 
It's  to  be  hoped  he  didn't  break  his  neck. 

"A  woman  greeted  us  with,  'Lawsee,  Massas !  I  can't  larf 
nuff;  I'se  so  glad  to  see  you!' 

"It  was  very  touching  to  see  the  vast  numbers  of  colored 
women  following  after  us  with  babies  in  their  arms,  and 
little  ones  like  our  Anna  clinging  to  their  tattered  skirts. 
One  poor  creature,  while  nobody  was  looking,  hid  two 
boys,  five  years  old,  in  a  wagon,  intending,  I  suppose,  that 
they  should  see  the  land  of  freedom  if  she  couldn't.  Babies 
tumbled  from  the  backs  of  mules,  to  which  they  had  been 
told  to  cling,  and  were  drowned  in  the  swamps,  while  moth 
ers  stood  by  the  roadside,  crying  for  their  lost  children,  and 
doubting  whether  to  continue  longer  with  the  advancing 
army. 

"The  houses  of  the  wealthy  along  the  line  of  march 
were  pillaged,  their  clothes  and  beds  torn  to  pieces,  their 
barns  and  gins  given  to  the  flames. 

"An  old  planter  was  walking  back  and  forth,  wringing 
his  hands,  and  exclaiming  over  and  over,  'Oh,  I'm  a  ruined 
man!  I'm  a  ruined  man!'  when  one  of  the  soldiers,  weary 

of  his  noise,  consoled  him  with,  'Who  in  said  you 

wasn't?' 


226  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

"It  was  melancholy  to  watch  the  books  disappear  from 
the  shelves  of  the  State  library,  recalling  the  vandalism 
of  the  Arabs  in  Egypt.  Ghost  of  Hannah  More!  Think 
of  my  stealing  'Coelebs  in  Search  of  a  Wife!'* 

"In  many  of  the  houses  the  ladies  sat  amid  the  ruins  of 
their  furniture  and  the  tattered  contents  of  their  drawers 
and  trunks,  smiling  as  if  they  took  all  things  joyfully.  Yet 
now  and  then  an  old  lady  would  have  to  be  reproved  by  her 
calmer  daughter,  Tlease,  mamma,  don't  rar'  so !' 

"A  Confederate,  General  Harrison,  was  accosted  by  one 
of  the  men :  'Well,  old  man,  they're  handling  you  rather 
roughly!'  'Yes,'  was  the  reply;  'they  have  done  about  all 
they  can.'  'No,'  said  the  other,  angrily,  'we'll  burn  your 
house  for  you  and  make  a  desert  of  your  plantation !'  The 
discovery  of  blood-hounds,  which  always  exasperates  the 
men,  and  the  fact  that  his  son  had  charge  of  a  prison  pen, 
occasioned  special  vindictiveness. 

"Our  men  showed  more  sympathy  for  an  unfortunate 
dog  that  appeared  underneath  a  burning  house  in  Spring 
field,  sending  forth  most  dismal  howls.  He  succeeded  by 
the  help  of  the  flames  in  breaking  the  strap  which  bound 
him,  but  only  to  find  himself  caged  by  blazing  palings  that 
fringed  the  basement  of  the  building.  The  boys  stood  in 
ranks  as  the  column  halted  for  a  moment,  breathlessly 
watching  the  efforts  of  the  poor  fellow,  whom  they  could 
not  aid,  and  burst  into  welcoming  cheers  as  he  seized  the 
red  bars  with  his  teeth  and  tore  his  way  toward  them. 

"One  of  the  boys  found  five  thousand  dollars  in  Con 
federate  money  concealed  in  a  well,  besides  gold,  silver 
and  clothing  of  the  finest  quality.  I  have  no  doubt  that 


*The  book  has  since  been  returned. 


THE   MARCH   TO   THE   SEA  227 

fifty  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  silk  dresses  were  found 
buried,  and  exhumed  and  torn  to  pieces  by  the  men.  Sil 
verware,  hid  away  in  the  ground,  fell  into  their  hands 
through  information  derived  from  the  negroes. 

"An  officer  may  instruct,  command  and  threaten  the 
men,  but  when  foraging  they  think  of  the  tens  of  thous 
ands  of  their  imprisoned  comrades,  slowly  perishing  with 
hunger,  in  the  midst  of  wealth  untold,  barns  bursting  with 
grain,  and  food  to  feed  a  dozen  armies,  and  they  sweep  with 
the  besom  of  destruction.  The  war  is  with  men  and  with 
property,  but  women  are  always  addressed  with  respect 
and  children  treated  with  tenderness.  I  gave  orders  to 
our  foragers,  and  doubtless  other  regimental  commanders 
did  the  same,  to  shoot  down  anything  in  the  form  of  a  man 
engaged  in  unsoldier-like  deeds. 

"On  a  plantation  about  seven  miles  from  Savannah  is  a 
magnificent  forest  of  live  oaks,  festooned  with  Spanish 
moss.  Some  of  the  trees  are  ten  feet  in  diameter,  and  the 
distance  across  from  tip  to  tip  of  the  branches  is  nearly 
two  hundred  feet,  far  surpassing  in  grandeur  any  produc 
tion  of  the  forest  I  have  ever  seen.  The  English  oaks  are 
but  dwarfs,  and  that  elm  at  home,  near  Virginia  avenue, 
dwindles  in  my  memory  until  it  assumes  a  size  not  a  third 
as  large  as  these  glorious  creations,  each  one  in  itself  a 
forest  and  a  temple. 

"Before  Savannah,  Monday,  December  nineteenth.  All 
the  boys  seem  to  be  in  excellent  health.  It  could  scarcely 
be  otherwise,  as  the  march  has  been  easy,  the  food  excel 
lent,  and  the  weather  delightful.  The  days  are  as  sunny 
and  the  air  as  mild  as  if  it  were  summer  instead  of  winter. 
The  favorite  hymn  with  the  men  is,  'December's  as  pleasant 
as  June.'  " 


228  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

One  has  only  to  read  the  following  documents  from 
Generals  Beauregard  and  Wheeler  to  be  satisfied  as  to  who 
it  was  that  insulted  women,  maltreated  children,  and  com 
mitted  the  crimes  falsely  charged  to  the  Union  foragers. 
The  times  were  propitious  for  the  "poor  white"  to  show 
the  arrogant  planter  that  "one  man  is  as  good  as  another," 
and  for  the  revengeful  who  had  cherished  a  grudge  to 
get  even  with  his  neighbor.  Wheeler,  doubtless,  and  pos 
sibly  Wade  Hampton,  did  what  they  could  to  restrain  their 
troopers,  but  hosts  of  the  gallant  Confederates  had  fallen, 
while  all  the  cowardly  cut-throats  had  survived. 

In  the  Field,  Dec.  10,  1864. 

Soldiers!  While  you  have  been  engaged  gallantly  fighting 
the  enemy  a  band  of  thieves  and  stragglers  have  spread  over 
the  country  robbing  and  insulting  the  wives  and  children  of 
your  brother  soldiers  who  are  opposing  the  invaders  upon 
other  fields.  These  soldiers  expect  protection  from  you,  and  I 
appeal  to  every  officer  and  soldier  of  this  command  to  assist 
in  arresting  and  bringing  to  justice  these  depredators  who 
claim  to  belong  to  the  command,  and  by  their  conduct  are 
bringing  disgrace  upon  you  and  distress  upon  citizens,  the 
families  of  comrades  in  arms. 

JOSEPH  WHEELER, 

Major-General. 

Charleston,  Dec.  23,  1864. 

Gen.  S.  Cooper,  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General:  Unless 
Wheeler's  command  of  twelve  so-called  brigades  can  be 
properly  organized  into  divisions,  under  good  commanders,  a 
large  portion  of  it  had  better  be  dismounted  forthwith;  its 
conduct  in  front  of  the  enemy,  and  its  depredations  on  private 
property,  render  it  worse  than  useless. 

G.  T.  BEAUREGARD, 

General. 


THE   MARCH   TO   THE   SEA  229 

The  destruction  of  railways,  the  flames  consuming  mills 
and  gins,  property  created  by  and  wrung  from  the  black- 
man,  gave  hourly  evidence  of  the  awful  ruin  wrought  by 
a  war  that  would  never  have  existed  had  it  not  been  for 
the  wrong  of  slavery.  Many  drawn  battles  had  been  fought 
in  which  thousands  died  seemingly  in  vain,  but  now  the 
shackles  were  broken  without  a  blow,  and  a  vast  host  of 
freedmen  followed  the  army  to  the  sea.  Wendell  Phillips 
had  declared,  "I  believe  American  slavery  will  last  a  thous 
and  years."  Before  twelve  had  elapsed,  after  this  decla 
ration,  countless  throngs  were  pressing  on  the  men  in  blue, 
shouting  in  their  new-found  liberty,  'The  year  of  jubilee 
has  come."  Gladstone  spoke  better  than  he  knew,  when 
he  said:  "Jefferson  Davis  has  created  a  nation,"  for  that 
unhappy  man's  action  had  resulted  in  four  millions  of  peo 
ple,  more  than  originally  formed  the  American  Common 
wealth,  emerging  from  slavery  to  a  share  in  the  govern 
ment  of  a  genuine  republic,  now  for  the  first  time  in  its 
history  without  a  slave. 

J.  L.  Ketcham:  "I  just  received  the  compliment  of 
being  a  great  prophet.  When  in  front  of  Savannah  heavy 
firing  was  heard  in  the  distance.  We  had  grown  used  to 
such  little  matters,  but  some  negroes  who  had  just  come 
into  camp  were  greatly  alarmed.  The  balls  of  their  eyes 
rolled  uncomfortably.  They  appointed  a  committee  to 
wait  on  me  and  ask  me  what  I  thought  of  the  future.  I 
replied,  'Oh,  we  will  wake  up  some  fine  morning  and  find 
the  enemy  has  fled.'  The  frightened  creatures  would  not 
accept  this  simple  prophetic  statement.  The  next  morn 
ing,  however,  the  enemy  was  gone.  The  negroes  were 
delighted  and  gathered  around  their  camp-fire  to  discuss 
the  situation.  I  overheard  one  of  them  refer  in  high  com- 


230  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

plimentary  terms  to  my  prophetic  greatness,  adding,  'Now, 
how  do  you  'spose  he  knowed  s'much?'  "  Ketcham  beat 
Wendell  Phillips  at  prophesying. 

On  the  night  of  the  twentieth  of  December  Hardee's 
army  deserted  Savannah,  and  early  the  following  morn 
ing  Sherman's  battalions  entered  the  city.  The  great  com 
mander  modestly  underestimated  his  captures,  when  on 
the  twenty-second  he  sent  this  dispatch  to  the  President: 
"I  beg  to  present  you  as  a  Christmas  gift  the  city  of 
Savannah,  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  heavy  guns  and 
plenty  of  ammunition,  and  also  about  twenty-five  thousand 
bales  of  cotton." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

IN    SAVANNAH 

An  officer  writes:  "All  the  way  from  Atlanta  to  the 
ocean  without  a  fight.  Some  portions  of  our  army  have 
had  skirmishing,  but  our  regiment  has  not  lost  a  man. 

"Before  daylight  on  the  twenty-first  we  discovered  that 
the  Confederates  had  deserted  their  lines,  so  we  immedi 
ately  pushed  into  the  city,  finding  over  three  hundred  pieces 
of  artillery,  besides  thousands  of  bales  of  the  king  of  the 
South  and  vast  quantities  of  rice  and  corn. 

"It  was  a  glorious  sight,  the  entering  of  our  steamers 
into  the  harbor  day  before  yesterday. 

"The  city  is  much  more  beautiful  than  either  Atlanta 
or  Nashville.  Almost  every  other  square  is  a  park,  orna 
mented  in  many  instances  with  beautiful  monuments  and 
sparkling  fountains.  I  had  a  delightful  ride  a  day  or  two 
ago  along  the  river  to  Fort  Jackson,  some  four  miles  below 
the  city.  Our  horses  went  like  the  wind  along  the  dikes, 
which  separate  rice  fields;  under  brave  old  oaks  snowed 
over  with  Spanish  moss;  through  thicketed  ravines,  more 
beautiful  than  Scotland's  lovely  Hawthornden;  over  the 
drawbridge,  across  the  moat,  beneath  the  arch,  and  into 
the  fortress  so  lately  deserted  by  the  foe. 

"One  of  the  streets  of  the  city  is  very  wide,  adorned  with 
four  rows  of  shade  trees  and  bordered  with  magnificent 
residences,  calling  to  mind  the  loveliness  and  grandeur  of 
Unter-den-Linden." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "The  Twentieth  Corps,  after  the  city  was 
taken,  went  into  camp  in  the  suburbs  on  the  upper  side 

231 


232  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

within  the  defences.  Great  quantities  of  rice  were  stored  in 
the  warehouses,  in  sacks,  barrels,  hogsheads,  and  in  bulk, 
and  the  inhabitants,  principally  Irish  women  and  children, 
and  a  few  crippled  men,  came  pouring  in  to  load  them 
selves.  I  saw  some  rights  between  the  women,  and  the 
air  became  sulphurous  from  the  curses.  Fists  were  used 
with  vigor,  and  hair-pulling  and  kicks  indulged  in,  but 
tongues  were  the  principal  weapons.  Starving  women, 
colored  and  white,  thronged  the  river  bank  rolling  barrels 
and  even  huge  hogsheads  of  rice.  Our  soldiers  stood  in 
groups  taking  in  the  scene.  When  a  fight  occurred  among 
the  Amazons,  they  would  cheer  and  encourage  the  weaker 
ones,  and  despite  the  roughness  of  the  scene  would  get 
some  enjoyment  out  of  it. 

"No  guard  was  needed  in  this  conquered  city  to  protect 
the  citizens  or  to  keep  the  houses  from  being  invaded. 
Soldiers  could  be  seen  wandering  in  groups  all  over  the 
city,  commenting  on  the  structure  of  the  houses,  the  pe 
culiarities  of  the  shaded  streets,  and  the  great  number  of 
parks.  Camp  life  soon  grew  monotonous,  and  many  of 
the  men  drifted  into  gambling  as  a  pastime,  the  excitement 
of  the  game  taking  the  place  of  the  excitement  of  the 
skirmish  line.  One  walking  on  the  railroad,  down  the 
southern  sunnyside  embankment,  could  see  every  kind  of 
game  going  on  with  cards  and  dice,  chuck-a-luck  and  poker 
having  the  preference;  and  that  money  was  rapidly  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  skilful  and  unscrupulous. 

"We  drew  some  clothing,  mostly  shoes,  as  the  men  were 
barefooted,  though  many  were  almost  naked,  as  no  regu 
lar  issue  of  clothing  had  been  made  since  spring.  A  small 
amount  of  other  wear  beside  shoes  was  drawn,  but  the  men 
did  not  allow  themselves  to  indulge  in  needful  blankets, 


IN    SAVANNAH  233 

or  a  change  of  clothing  even,  no  matter  how  cold  the  win 
ter  nights  might  be,  as  they  felt  that  the  halt  was  of  short 
duration,  and  such  articles  could  not  be  carried  on  the 
march." 

An  officer  writes:  "Sunday  Captain  Culver  and  I  at 
tended  service  at  the  Methodist  church,  and  as  it  was  com 
munion  Sabbath  and  the  invitation  did  not  seem  to  exclude 
us,  we  went  forward  with  the  members,  and  kneeling  round 
the  altar  partook  of  the  sacrament.  The  members  appeared 
fearfully  broken  down,  as  if  the  heavens  were  clothed  in 
sackcloth  and  their  hearts  were  crushed  beneath  the  black 
ened  embers  of  their  blasted  homes.  I  think  they  were 
glad  to  have  us  there,  and  yet,  clad  as  they  were  in  mourn 
ing  and  overwhelmed  by  the  thought  that  all  they  valued 
in  life  was  lost,  they  seemed  to  personify  woe.  Some  may 
rejoice  in  the  desolation  of  this  people,  but  I  feel  as  the 
Israelites  did  over  the  extermination  of  Benjamin. 

"On  our  return  we  went  into  an  empty  house,  doors  all 
open,  in  search  of  something  to  read.  Everything  the 
owners  did  not  wish  to  take  in  their  flight  was  tumbled  on 
the  floors.  After  rinding  a  little  book  that  suited  me,  I 
remarked  to  a  lone  African  who  had  gladly  welcomed  us: 
'My  man,  it's  rather  hard  to  be  stealing  things  this  way, 
isn't  it?'  'La,  Massa,  dat's  not  stealin'.  Dey's  yours.  If 
dey  hadn't  fout  you,  dey  wouldn't  loss  nuffinV 

"The  negroes  furnish  a  comic  side  to  the  melancholy 
pictures  seen  everywhere,  though  there  is  tragedy  enough 
in  their  comedy.  Yesterday,  while  we  were  singing,  a 
gray-headed  darkey  with  saw  and  buck  on  his  shoulders, 
as  he  passed  by,  struck  up  a  dance  in  spite  of  age  and 
encumbrances,  inspired  by  the  music  or  the  thought  of 
broken  chains. 


234  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

"  'God  bress  you!  God  bress  you!'  is  the  language  of 
every  crooked-legged,  wrinkled-faced,  white-haired,  black 
ragamuffin  as  he  pulls  off  his  hat  and  paws  the  ground 
with  his  right  foot;  Tse  been  prayin'  for  you  dese  many 
years,  and  I  knowed  you's  gwine  to  come,  and  now  you's 
done  come,  thank  the  good  Lord.' 

"Everywhere  you  hear  old  women  muttering,  'O,  how 
I  love  em!'  'But  dey  is  purty!'  'Dey  isn't  yaller,  scrawny 
little  fellers  like  dem  rebels.'  'God  bress  you,  dear.'  'He 
opened  de  door.  He  take  de  yoke  off  our  necks.  He  turn 
us  loose!'  'O,  Lord!  Massa,  my  young  missus  tole  me  de 
Yankees  had  horns  on  der  head,  and  dey  would  bore  holes 
tru  our  shoulders  for  de  ropes,  and  hitch  us  in  wagons, 
and  all  dose  what  couldn't  work,  dey'd  send  off  to  Cuby.' 

"While  we  were  singing  'John  Brown'  and  the  'Year  of 
Jubilo'  this  morning,  a  great  crowd  of  tattered  women 
gathered  from  the  streets,  waving  their  hands,  shouting, 
throwing  their  arms  round  each  other,  kneeling  and  pray 
ing,  'God  bress  you  and  take  you,  Massas,  and  all  dat  you 
love  to  heaven,  \vhar  you  will  shine  like  stars  in  glory! 
We  owe  it  all  to  you!  Bress  God!' 

"It  is  depressing  to  see  their  joy,  when  one  thinks  of 
the  impossibility  of  their  attaining  their  ideal  of  freedom. 
Never  having  known  what  it  is  to  act  for  themselves,  they 
are  helpless  as  little  children  when  thrown  on  their  own 
resources.  We  laugh  now  at  their  wild  antics,  and  mar 
vellous  expectations,  but  cannot  shut  out  the  thought  that 
the  comedy  may  soon  darken  into  a  tragedy." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "On  the  morning  of  the  thirty-first  of 
December,  1864,  the  Third  Division  crossed  the  pontoon 
bridge  to  an  island  in  the  Savannah  River,  and  the  pon 
toon  corps  attempted  to  throw  boats  over  the  other  branch 


IN    SAVANNAH  235 

of  the  stream;  but  the  rebel  troops  had  stationed  them 
selves  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  behind  a  high  em 
bankment  that  served  to  keep  the  tide-water  from  the  low 
rice  fields.  Our  corps  batteries  \vere  brought  to  bear  on 
these  riflemen,  and  a  vigorous  shelling  was  kept  up  all 
day,  without  much  apparent  effect,  however.  As  night 
drew  on,  a  cold  wind  blew  at  a  furious  rate,  making  it 
impossible  to  raise  a  tent,  and  as  all  the  fuel  on  the  island 
was  water-soaked,  building  a  fire  that  emitted  any  warmth 
was  out  of  the  question.  Wretchedness  was  universal." 

An  officer  writes:  "I  heard  an  irrepressible  youth  sing 
ing,  as  he  watched  the  old  year  out  and  the  new  year  in: 

"  'In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five, 
We'll  all  go  home,  if  we're  alive.' 

'Much  virtue  in  If,'  I  thought,  for  it  looks  now  with  Jack 
Frost  and  Jupiter  Pluvius  after  us,  and  Jeff  Davis  in  front, 
as  if  we  stood  a  sorry  chance  of  getting  home." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "Early  on  the  first  of  January,  1865,  Com 
panies  A,  B,  C  and  D  recrossed  the  bridge  and  marched 
to  a  point  where  a  small  river  steamer,  the  General  Hardee, 
lay.  Battery  C,  First  Ohio,  was  put  on  the  boat  and  two 
barges  were  fastened  to  either  side  of  the  steamer.  The 
boat  steamed  down  the  river  below  the  island  to  a  point 
near  Fort  Jackson,  then  headed  up  the  stream,  and  across 
to  South  Carolina.  As  the  steamer  approached  the  shore 
the  artillerymen  stood  to  their  guns,  and  the  four  com 
panies  were  ordered  to  load  and  fix  bayonets.  At  this  mo 
ment  the  batteries  on  the  island  literally  filled  the  air  with 
shells,  raking  the  top  of  the  embankment  in  our  front, 
while  the  infantry  filed  rapidly  into  the  barges,  seized  the 
poles  and  pushed  themselves  to  the  shore.  The  men  sprang 


236  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

out  and  rushed  to  the  top  of  the  bank,  expecting  each  sec 
ond  a  crash  of  musketry  from  the  enemy  supposed  to  be 
behind  it.  Hundreds  of  yards  away  hundreds  of  men  in 
gray  were  seen  going  pell-mell,  trying  to  escape  the  shells 
flying  from  the  island.  The  sight  of  the  scampering  men, 
some  of  whom  were  mounted  and  were  beating  their  horses 
furiously,  called  forth  shouts  of  laughter,  and  concluded 
with  a  cheer  of  triumph,  which  was  taken  up  by  the  six 
companies  of  the  Seventieth  still  on  the  island. 

"The  steamer  now  went  back  for  the  balance  of  the  regi 
ment,  and  when  all  had  arrived,  we  took  up  our  march  for 
the  timber  by  the  same  route  the  rebel  cavalry  had  gone. 
As  this  was  some  five  miles  from  the  river,  it  was  night 
before  we  reached  our  destination.  We  could  see  a  bright 
fire  blazing  in  advance,  and  when  the  head  of  the  column 
reached  it,  it  was  discovered  to  be  a  burning  bridge.  The 
fire  was  quickly  extinguished,  and  after  repairing,  wagons 
and  the  artillery  were  enabled  to  cross.  We  advanced  until 
we  came  to  the  dwelling  on  the  plantation  of  General 
Hardee,  and  there  threw  out  pickets  and  encamped." 

An  officer  writes  home  from  this  place:  "It  is  startling 
to  meet  a  regiment  that  has  had  active  service  for  two  or 
three  years,  and  see  how  amazingly  diseases,  detachments, 
discharges  and  death  have  caused  it  to  dwindle.  A  little 
incident  at  the  Savannah  River  crossing  illustrates  this 
and  may  amuse  you:  Three  of  us,  Acting  Adjutant  Charles 
Cox,  my  man  Jerry  and  myself,  were  going  from  our  camp 
on  Hardee's  plantation  to  Savannah  with  the  remains  of 
the  regimental  banners,  \vhich  were  to  be  sent  home.  Jerry, 
mounted  on  a  mule,  poked  along  behind  carrying  the  flags, 
which,  notwithstanding  all  our  care,  are  reduced  to  a  few 
tattered  stripes,  a  tassel  or  two,  and  shell-shattered  staves. 


IN    SAVANNAH  237 

Flags  couldn't  look  more  forlorn,  and  our  clothes  were 
faded  and  ragged.  As  we  suddenly  descended  the  bank, 
there  about  seven  feet  high,  we  encountered  a  sentinel  keep 
ing  solitary  guard  at  the  head  of  the  pontoon  bridge,  who 
asked:  'What  regiment,  boys?'  Charley  answered,  'Seven 
tieth  Indiana.'  The  man  took  a  step  up  the  bank  to  see 
the  others  coming,  seemed  stunned,  dropped  the  butt  of 
his  gun  to  the  ground  and  exclaimed,  'My  God!  all  dead 
but  two  men  and  a  nigger!' ' 

Executive  Mansion, 
Washington,  Dec.  26,  1864. 

My  Dear  General  Sherman:  Many,  many  thanks  for  your 
Christmas  gift,  the  capture  of  Savannah.  When  you  were  about 
leaving  Atlanta  for  the  Atlantic  coast,  I  was  anxious,  if  not 
fearful,  but  feeling  that  you  were  the  better  judge,  and  remem 
bering  that  "nothing  risked,  nothing  gained,"  I  did  not  inter 
fere.  Now,  the  undertaking  being  a  success,  the  honor  is  all 
yours,  for  I  believe  none  of  us  went  further  than  to  acquiesce. 
And  taking  the  work  of  General  Thomas  into  the  count,  as  it 
should  be  taken,  it  is  indeed  a  great  success.  Not  only  does 
it  afford  the  obvious  and  immediate  military  advantages,,  but 
in  showing  to  the  world  that  your  army  could  be  divided,  put 
ting  the  stronger  part  to  an  important  new  service,  and  yet 
leaving  enough  to  vanquish  the  old  opposing  force  of  the 
whole — Hood's  army — it  brings  those  who  sat  in  darkness  to 
see  a  great  light.  But  what  next?  I  suppose  it  will  be  safer 
if  I  leave  General  Grant  and  yourself  to  decide.  Please  make 
my  grateful  acknowledgments  to  your  whole  army,  officers 
and  men.  Yours  very  truly, 

A.  LINCOLN. 


238  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

General  Orders,  No.  3. 
War  Department,  Adjutant  General's  Office. 

Washington,  Jan.  14,  1865. 

The  following  resolution  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Rep 
resentatives  is  published  to  the  army: 

Be  it  Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 
the  thanks  of  the  people  and  of  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States  are  due,  and  are  hereby  tendered  to  Maj.-Gen.  William 
T.  Sherman,  and  through  him  to  the  officers  and  men  under 
his  command,  for  their  gallantry  and  good  conduct  in  their 
late  compaign  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  and  the  tri 
umphal  march  thence  through  Georgia  to  Savannah,  terminat 
ing  in  the  capture  and  occupation  of  that  city;  and  that  the 
President  cause  a  copy  of  this  joint  resolution  to  be  engrossed 
and  forwarded  to  Maj.-Gen.  Sherman. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

W.  A.  NICHOLS, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 

Savannah,  Ga.,  Dec.  24,  1864. 

Sir — I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  ist  day  of 
November  the  aggregate  present  of  the  Seventieth  Indiana 
Regiment  was  413,  which  was  increased  to  532  on  the  5th  by 
an  addition  caused  by  a  consolidation  with  the  Twenty- 
seventh  Indiana.  On  the  I4th  we  left  the  Chattahoochee 
River,  reaching  Atlanta  the  same  day.  On  the  isth,  the  time 
of  moving  from  Atlanta,  there  were  nine  animals  in  my  pos 
session,  for  which,  in  the  fifteen  days  previous,  there  had  been 
drawn  only  three  days'  rations,  as  the  twelve  days'  rations 
were  foraged  from  the  neighboring  regions.  Thirteen  animals 
were  added  to  the  above  number,  making  in  all  twenty-two, 
for  which  the  government  has  furnished  no  rations,  but  forage 
was  collected  from  the  country  to  supply  their  wants. 

The  number  of  rations  issued  to  the  men  of  the  command 
I  have  no  means  of  ascertaining.  Since  the  organization  of 


IN    SAVANNAH  239 

the  regiment  the  supply  of  food  has  never  been  so  abundant 
as  during  the  recent  campaign. 

The  health  of  the  command  has  been  excellent,  the  average 
number  unfit  for  duty  being  less  than  one  in  one  hundred. 
The  daily  report  of  the  regiment  has  been  no  casualties. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  MERRILL, 

Lieut.  Col.,  Commanding  Seventieth  Ind.  Vols. 
Lieut.  A.  H.  Trego, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS" 

These  oft-used  words,  greeted  with  such  delight  by  the 
lazy  college  student,  give  wonderful  comfort  also  to  one 
whose  only  claim  to  be  like  Xenophon  is  that  he,  too,  tells 
of  a  journey  through  an  enemy's  country.  If  the  gifted 
disciple  of  Socrates  was  driven  to  repeating,  'Then  we 
marched  so  many  miles"  again  and  again,  who  can  criti 
cise  if  in  this  unpretending  narrative  of  a  tramp  through 
the  hostile  States  of  the  Carolinas  and  Virginia  there  are 
tiresome  repetitions. 

When  the  ten  thousand  Greeks  in  their  famous  march 
to  the  sea,  at  sight  of  the  Euxine  threw  themselves  into 
each  other's  arms,  weeping  and  shouting  for  joy,  they  for 
got  for  the  ecstatic  moment  that  before  reaching  home 
fearful  hardships  were  yet  to  be  borne.  So,  too,  our  boys, 
as  they  looked  out  toward  the  ocean,  and  saw  the  beau 
tiful  flag  floating  over  the  approaching  vessels,  were 
thrilled  through  and  through,  forgetting  everything, 
hardly  knowing  whether  the  vision  accompanying  the  view 
was  of  heaven  or  home.  Soon  the  vision  vanished,  and 
the  certainty  that  their  journeyings  were  not  yet  half  done, 
and  that  hardships  indescribable  were  to  be  endured,  called 
for  all  the  fortitude  and  resolution  they  had  in  reserve. 

U.  H.  Farr:  "We  remained,  at  Hardee's  farm  until  Jan 
uary  seventeenth,  and  then  moved  to  Hardeesville,  where 
we  stayed  till  the  twenty-ninth.  The  country  around  the 
town  is  low  and  flat,  and  the  numerous  swamps  made  it 
anything  but  a  desirable  location.  It  rained  much  of  the 

240 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       241 

time,  and  the  camps  were  flooded  with  water  half  ankle 
deep,  and  as  the  ground  was  spongy,  the  mud  was  as  deep 
as  the  water.  Brush  was  cut  from  the  pine  trees,  and  piled 
in  the  tents  to  keep  the  men  from  lying  in  the  water. 

"On  the  twenty-ninth  we  marched  to  Robertsville,  twen 
ty-five  miles  in  two  days,  passing  through  the  same  low 
country  covered  with  mud  and  water.  Much  of  the  road 
had  to  be  corduroyed  with  fence  rails  if  these  could  be 
found  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  road,  or  with  poles 
cut  from  the  woods.  We  lay  in  Robertsville  two<  days; 
leaving  on  February  second  and  marching  on  higher 
ground  twelve  miles,  we  reached  Lawtonville  the  same  day. 
Though  the  land  as  a  general  thing  lay  higher  than  that 
near  Savannah,  yet  on  either  side  of  the  water  courses  were 
swamps  from  a  few  hundred  yards  to  a  mile  or  more  in 
width,  which  had  always  to  be  corduroyed  for  the  passage 
of  wagons  and  artillery. 

"Some  half-mile  to  the  west  of  Lawtonville  was  a  small 
creek,  and  as  the  head  of  the  column  approached  the 
swamp  it  was  fired  on  by  the  enemy  from  the  east  side  of 
a  field  on  the  western  edge  of  the  swamp.  A  skirmish  line 
was  thrown  out,  but  met  with  such  a  hot  fire  that  the  ad 
vance  was  stopped,  and  batteries  were  brought  up  to  a 
rise  in  the  ground  of  the  field,  some  three  or  four  hundred 
yards  away  from  the  enemy,  and  trained  on  the  piles  of 
rails  along  the  edge  of  the  swamp.  While  the  division 
was  forming  in  line  the  artillery  did  good  work,  as  every 
shell  thrown  was  seen  to  scatter  the  rails  that  had  been 
piled,  but  the  enemy  somehow  held  to  his  position,  and 
kept  up  a  hot  fire.  When  all  was  ready  for  a  move  forward, 
the  skirmish  line  was  strengthened,  Companies  A,  B,  C, 
and  D,  being  added  from  the  Seventieth,  when  the  whole 


242  THE   SEVENTIETH  .INDIANA 

skirmish  line,  a  mile  or  more  long,  advanced  with  a  yell. 
Such  a  galling  fire  was  poured  into  it  that  after  running 
over  two-thirds  of  the  ground  to  be  passed,  the  men 
dropped  flat  to  get  a  good  breath,  preparatory  to  a  struggle 
over  the  rail  piles.  A  determined  resistance  was  expected, 
but  when  the  command  'Forward!'  came  every  man  was 
up  instantly  and  with  a  yell  the  rush  was  made.  No  enemy 
was  found,  however,  for  while  we  were  preparing  for  the 
last  grand  rush,  he  had  quietly  but  quickly  withdrawn  into 
the  tangled  underbrush  of  the  swamp.  The  column,  pre 
ceded  by  the  skirmish  line,  pushed  on  and  camped  for  the 
night  at  Lawtonville. 

"Our  command  now  moved  rapidly  toward  the  interior 
and  struck  the  Augusta  and  Charleston  railroad  at  Graham's 
Turnout,  and  in  three  days  tore  up  some  seventy  miles  of 
that  road,  burning  the  ties  and  bridges  and  destroying  the 
rails.  We  encamped  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  from 
Columbia,  and  saw  its  destruction  by  fire.  Early  the  follow 
ing  morning  we  marched  eight  miles  up  the  river  and 
crossed  on  a  pontoon  bridge.  We  crossed  the  Wateree  at 
Rocky  Mountain  and  Winsboro  was  burned;  indeed,  as  we 
passed  through  this  part  of  the  State  we  could  see  from  an 
eminence  by  the  columns  of  smoke  that  like  a  cloud  cov 
ered  the  entire  front  of  the  armies,  how  far  the  foragers 
had  advanced.  No  house  of  any  pretension  was  left,  no 
outbuildings,  no  fences,  for  the  solemn  resolve  of  every 
man  was  that  South  Carolina,  the  prime  conspirator  in  the 
rebellion,  should  be  made  to  suffer  for  the  sorrow  she  had 
brought  on  the  country. 

"Nothing  escaped  the  search  of  the  foragers,  for,  guided 
by  the  negroes,  everything  hidden  was  revealed.  Cattle, 
horses,  eatables,  everything  that  could  be  used  was  taken, 


'THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       243 

and  the  slaves  who  proposed  to  follow  the  army  were  sup 
plied  with  their  master's  clothing.  Vast  quantities  of  corn 
were  found  and  carried  to  mills  in  sacks,  the  foragers  turn 
ing  millers,  and  coming  into  camp  loaded  down  with  the 
material  for  making  corn-bread.  The  foragers  sallied  out 
of  camp  each  morning  before  day,  hurrying  to  the  front, 
or  out  on  either  flank  of  the  line  of  march,  in  hopes  of  being 
first  to  find  some  kind  of  forage  to  bring  in  to  their  hungry 
comrades.  They  seldom  failed  to  find  something,  even 
though  they  had  to  fight  the  small  squads  of  rebels  for 
it,  but  often  it  was  very  little,  and  the  men  had  to  fast 
until  the  foragers  were  more  successful.  Then  after  a  fail 
ure  or  two,  they  would  come  in  loaded  with  hams,  chick 
ens,  geese,  turkeys,  pigs,  lambs,  rice,  potatoes,  and  honey, 
and  the  men  would  revel  in  plenty.  All  through  the  center 
and  eastern  part  of  the  State  they  found  sugar-houses  with 
long  lines  of  barrels  of  sugar  standing  around  the  sides 
of  the  building  so  as  to  let  the  syrup  drain  off,  to  be 
carried  by  troughs  into  a  box  and  barreled  as  it  accumu 
lated." 

It  is  impossible  in  the  limits  of  a  small  volume  to  men 
tion  individuals  except  as  they  stand  for  classes,  or  to 
relate  incidents  except  as  they  illustrate  in  a  general  way 
army  life. 

W.  T.  Done,  when  eighteen  years  old,  in  the  spring  of 
1864,  enlisted  and  was  assigned  at  Indianapolis  as  a  recruit 
to  Company  D,  of  our  regiment,  on  his  choice,  because 
some  of  his  old  schoolmates  were  in  that  company.  After 
he  had  been  assigned  and  had  donned  his  uniform,  boy 
like,  he  concluded,  as  he  was  not  sent  right  off  to  the 
front,  to  go  back  to  his  home  in  the  country  and  show 


244  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

himself  to  his  mother.    She  was  a  widow  and  her  only  other 
son  had  died  in  the  army. 

Done  could  get  no  furlough,  so  he  took  French  leave, 
having  no  thought  of  desertion,  but  petty  officials,  seeing 
the  chance  for  making  the  Government  fee,  twenty-five 
dollars,  by  catching  a  deserter,  arrested,  manacled  and  for 
warded  him  to  his  company.  It  was  a  long,  hard  journey 
for  Done,  cooped  up  nine-tenths  of  the  time  in  jails,  with 
deserters,  bounty-jumpers,  and  criminals  of  every  descrip 
tion.  In  five  months  he  reached  Atlanta,  after  its  fall,  while 
the  troops  were  lying  in  camps  around  the  city. 

Word  came  that  a  prisoner  had  arrived  who  belonged  to 
Company  D,  and  was  at  a  military  prison  in  town.  No  one 
recognized  his  name,  which  was  misspelled  on  the  papers 
presented,  and  no  one  had  heard  that  a  recruit  was  coming. 
When  an  officer  brought  him  to  camp  not  a  man  knew  him, 
for  he  was  filthy,  his  clothing  in  rags,  his  hair  long  and 
uncombed,  and  he  was  pale  and  emaciated  from  long  con 
finement  in  vile  dungeons.  To  everybody's  surprise  he 
called  some  of  his  old  schoolmates  by  name,  and  added  to 
their  amazement  by  telling  them  who  he  was.  One  humor 
ous  old  acquaintance  exclaimed  as  he  stepped  forward  and 
took  him  by  the  hand,  "Well,  now,  if  you  ain't  a  bird!"  and 
so  he  became  known  in  the  company  as  Bird. 

He  proved  to  be  a  good  soldier,  was  a  regular  dare-devil, 
and  made  his  mark  on  the  Carolina  campaign  as  a  first- 
class  forager.  He  picked  up  a  long-necked,  long-bodied, 
long-legged,  bony  horse  that  was  called  Shellbark.  Shell- 
bark  was  a  traveler.  When  he  got  under  way  he  was  hard 
to  stop.  His  points  were  observed  and  freely  discussed 
by  the  boys,  and  the  conclusion  was  that  he  had  been 
trained  for  racing. 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       245 

Some  days  after  the  army  passed  Columbia  we  entered 
a  fertile  portion  of  the  State,  but  Wade  Hampton  was  in 
front,  and  as  his  host  was  being  constantly  reinforced  from 
other  sections  of  the  South,  foraging  was  frequently  en 
livened  by  fighting.  Early  one  morning  some  fifteen  or 
twenty  of  our  foragers  had  pushed  far  out  in  front  of  the 
army,  but  had  not  met  with  success  in  their  search.  As  was 
the  custom  two  of  the  number  rode  a  hundred  yards  in 
advance  of  the  squad  as  lookouts.  They  were  approach 
ing  a  farm-house  that  stood  a  little  off  the  main  road,  but 
was  reached  by  a  lane  leading  from  the  highway  to  the 
dwelling.  As  they  came  near  this  lane,  a  force  of  mounted 
men  was  seen  in  the  yard,  outnumbering  two  or  three  to 
one  the  squad  of  foragers.  They  were  dressed  in  blue  uni 
forms,  and  our  foragers,  supposing  they  were  Union  men, 
decided  to  pass  on.  After  the  advance  guard  was  beyond 
the  mouth  of  the  lane,  and  before  the  main  party  reached 
it,  the  troop  up  at  the  farm-house  all  at  once  opened  fire 
on  them,  and  the  whole  body  dashed  down  the  lane  yelling, 
"Shoot  the  Yankee  of  -  -!"  One  of  the  ad 
vance  guards  was  seen  to  fall  from  his  horse  as  if  killed, 
while  the  other  jumped  to  the  ground  and  darted  into  the 
woods. 

Our  foragers,  seeing  they  were  greatly  outnumbered, 
after  a  volley  from  such  as  could  shoot  quickly,  turned 
and  fled  the  way  they  came,  pursued  by  what  they  now 
knew  to  be  Confederates  disguised  in  clothing  taken  from 
dead  or  captured  Northern  soldiers.  The  pursuit  and 
retreat  were  kept  up  for  quite  a  distance,  our  men  urging 
their  horses  to  their  utmost  speed.  Looking  down  the 
avenue  on  which  they  were  rushing,  they  saw  a  com 
pany  of  Confederate  infantry  approaching,  and  to  avoid 


246  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

them  the  whole  squad  turned  to  the  left  on  an  intersecting 
road,  except  Bird's  old  Shellbark.  He  had  steam  up  and 
would  not  obey  the  bridle.  In  spite  of  all  Bird  could  do  he 
thundered  straight  on  down  the  road  right  into  this  new 
host  of  the  enemy. 

The  foragers  made  a  detour  to  the  highway  on  which 
the  main  column  of  our  corps  was  known  to  be  marching, 
and  reaching  the  regiment  late  in  the  afternoon,  told  of 
their  misfortune — the  loss  of  the  two  advance  guards  and 
Bird's  dash  to  destruction.  He  surely  had  been  killed,  be 
cause  firing  had  been  heard  in  the  direction  he  rode.  They 
had  brought  no  forage,  being  satisfied  with  their  escape. 

The  men  of  Company  D  soon  heard  the  bad  news,  and 
talked  of  Bird  as  dead,  telling  of  his  good  qualities,  espe 
cially  of  his  wonderful  daring,  and  forbearing  to  mention 
what  a  desperate  swearer  he  had  become  during  his 
dungeon  experience.  On  halting  for  the  night  the  sad 
tidings  were  the  sole  subject  of  conversation.  When  the 
old  darkey  cook  Bill  came  up  with  the  camp  kettle  and 
mess  pans — any  horse  over  six  years  and  any  man,  white  or 
black,  over  thirty,  was  called  old  by  the  boys — he  listened  to 
the  story  in  silent  dejection,  amazing  in  one  usually  bois 
terously  cheerful,  but  after  "studying"  awhile  burst  out 
with,  "No,  gemmen,  dey  cain't  hurt  Bud.  He  will  come  in 
all  right.  Ole  Shellbok  will  fotch  him  sartin;  you'uns  will 
see." 

Darkness  and  thousands  of  camp-fires  were  beginning  to 
reveal  each  other's  presence  when  someone  called  out, 
"Run  here,  boys!  That  looks  like  old  Shellbark  coming 
over  yonder."  The  road  was  soon  full  of  staring  men,  and 
sure  enough  it  was  old  Shellbark,  loaded  down  with  for 
age,  Bird  sitting  on  top  with  his  legs  dangling  one  side, 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       247 

while  the  bridle  reins  hung  loose,  the  horse  taking  his 
own  gait  and  choosing  his  own  way.  The  comrades  sent 
up  a  cheer  when  Bird  came  up,  and  the  old  darkey,  pulling 
him  off,  hugged  him  as  he  cried,  "I  tole  'em  you  would 
come  in  all  right,  dat  ole  Shellbok  would  fotch  you,  and 
sho'  nuff  heah  you  is."  The  boys  and  old  Bill  took  the 
load  from  the  animal,  which  consisted  of  a  hog  with  the 
bristles  still  on,  split  in  two  so  as  to  swing  from  each  side 
of  the  horse,  besides  chickens,  sweet  potatoes  and  other 
provisions  fit  to  gladden  the  hearts  and  satisfy  the  appe 
tites  of  tired,  marching  men. 

As  soon  as  Bird  had  had  his  supper  he  was  made  to  tell 
his  adventures.  He  said  when  he  came  to  the  forks  of 
the  road  in  the  mad  flight,  and  saw  the  fresh  force  of  the 
enemy  straight  ahead,  he  aimed  to  pull  off  to  the  left  with 
the  balance  of  the  squad,  but  in  spite  of  him  his  horse 
rushed  right  on  toward  the  approaching  infantry.  He  saw 
them  getting  ready  to  shoot,  and  presently  could  hear 
them  yelling  to  him  to  halt  and  surrender,  but  he  could 
not  have  stopped  his  horse  even  if  he  had  wanted  to.  He 
expected  to  be  shot,  so  just  shut  his  eyes  and  clung  to  old 
Shellbark.  After  a  moment  which  seemed  an  age,  when 
he  knew  he  must  have  passed  them,  he  opened  his  eyes  and 
just  then  several  shots  rang  out.  He  could  not  help  won 
dering  what  kept  them  from  firing  sooner.  After  going 
several  miles  the  horse  slowed  up,  and  finally  dropped  into 
a  walk. 

Bird  found  himself  in  a  rich  and  productive  country, 
dotted  with  farm-houses,  the  inhabitants  of  which  had  left 
on  the  approach  of  Sherman's  army.  There  was  neither 
friend  nor  foe  to  divide  or  dispute  with,  so  he  loaded  faith 
ful  old  Shellbark  with  the  abundant  forage,  and  climbing 


248  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

on  top  headed  him  for  the  road  on  which  our  division  was 
marching. 

Thanks  to  horse  and  rider,  Company  D  had  plenty  to 
eat  that  night,  and  some  to  spare  for  those  who  were  not 
so  lucky.  The  remark  was  made  later  in  not  very  elegant 
English:  "I  guess  it  must  have  been  that  old  race  hoss 
Shellbark  what  cured  Bird  of  his  dreadful  cussin'  and  dam- 
minV 

U.  H.  Farr:     "One  morning  I  started  out  at  break  of 
day  to  forage  for  our  ordnance  train,  and  after  trudging 
along  two  or  three  hours,  came  to  a  fine  mansion,  and  was 
conducted  by  an  old  negro,  the  sole  occupant  of  the  exten 
sive  quarters,  to  a  building  containing  some  two  hundred 
bushels  of  shelled  corn  in  sacks.    While  I  was  watching  and 
waiting  for  the  train  a  Lieutenant  with  a  squad  of  men 
searching  for  forage  for  the  Second  Division  took  posses 
sion  and  ordered  me  to  move  on.     As  soon  as  the  Third 
Division,  which  was  in  advance  that  day,  came  in  sight,  I 
saluted  General  Ward  and  told  him  the  circumstances,  and 
asked  for  a  detail  of  a  Captain  and  ten  men.    The  General 
turned  in  his  saddle  and  ordered  a  Colonel  to  do  as  I  re 
quested.     As  I  now  had  a  Captain  under  my  command, 
I  proudly  marched  back  to  my  forage  and  ordered  the 
Lieutenant  to  move  on,  who  gave  himself  and  myself,  also, 
great  satisfaction  by  the  volleys  of  oaths  he  poured  out  as 
he  departed.     Greatly  elated  over  my  executive  ability,  I 
put  the  Captain  and  his  men  in  charge  of  the  corn,  ordered 
the  wagonmaster  when  he  appeared  on  the  road  to  detach 
several  wagons  to  be  loaded,  and  continued  my  foraging 
expedition,  saying  to  myself,  'Now  that  I  have  supplied 
all  the  animals  of  my  division  with  feed  for  one  day,  it 
becomes  my  duty  to  see  that  the  men  have  sufficient  food. 


'THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       249 

"But  my  pride  was  soon  taken  out  of  me,  for  the  delay 
had  resulted  in  the  seizure  of  everything  by  the  advanc 
ing  troops.  However,  toward  evening  I  came  to  a 
house  deserted  by  its  owners,  but  left  in  charge  of  an  old 
colored  couple  who  occupied  a  cabin  near  by.  The  yard 
was  full  of  chickens  and  a  dog  barked  at  me.  When  the 
old  slaves  came  out  I  told  them  I  was  a  Yankee  soldier, 
one  of  Lincoln's  men.  They  seemed  stunned  and  just 
stood  and  looked  at  me.  I  tried  in  vain  to  get  the  dog 
to  help  me  catch  the  chickens,  while  the  old  man  stood 
and  stared  at  me  as  one  dazed.  I  called  him  to  help,  and 
as  he  still  looked  without  moving,  I  recollected  that  he  had 
always  been  a  slave,  used  to  the  commands  of  white  folks, 
so  I  stormed  at  him  and  ordered  him  to  take  the  dog  and 
help  me  catch  the  chickens.  This  brought  him  to  his 
senses,  and  he  dashed  in  with  the  dog,  and  soon  I  was 
almost  loaded  down  with  fat  hens.  One  wilder  than  the 
rest,  chased  by  the  negro  and  his  dog,  flew  up  a  woody 
slope  toward  the  road  on  which  the  army  was  beginning 
to  pass.  All  of  a  sudden  the  man  came  dashing  down  that 
slope,  white  as  a  negro  ghost,  leaped  the  yard  fence  at  one 
bound,  rushed  to  his  wife,  slapped  his  hands  on  his  thighs 
and  exclaimed  over  and  over,  'Fore  God,  Dinah !  Fore  God, 
Dinah!'  His  amazed  wife  tried  to  get  something  else  out 
of  him,  and  at  last  he  cried  out,  'De  big  road  am  full  of 
sogers,  an'  bosses,  an'  wagons,  an'  cannons;  jist  miles  of 
'em.'  When  I  endeavored  to  get  him  to  catch  more  chick 
ens  he  was  too  crazy  to  hear  me,  but  wild  with  excitement 
the  two  slaves  began  to  pack  up  everything  they  could 
carry  to  find  freedom  by  following  the  army. 

"As  the  army  swept  through  the  State,  slaves  in  count 
less  numbers  thronged  after  it,  of  all  ages,  sexes  and  con- 


250  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ditions,  from  extreme  old  age  to  the  new-born  pickaninny 
in  the  mother's  arms;  black  slaves,  mulatto  slaves,  slaves 
so  white  that  no  Northern  man  would  have  thought  that 
a  drop  of  African  blood  was  in  their  veins.  The  throng 
became  so  great  that  it  impeded  the  movement  of  the  army. 
When  we  came  to  Broad  River,  above  Columbia,  the  guard 
was  instructed  to  allow  no  negro  to  pass  over  the  pontoon 
bridge  unless  he  belonged  to  some  command  as  cook  or 
hostler.  When  the  army  had  crossed  and  the  southern  end 
of  the  pontoon  had  been  cut  loose,  a  cloud  of  human  be 
ings  covered  the  river  bank  for  miles,  and  the  wailing  and 
lamentation  was  indescribable.  Imagine  the  surprise,  how 
ever,  when  within  twenty-four  hours  thousands  of  the 
poor  creatures  had  found  some  way  to  cross  and  joined 
the  advancing  host. 

"The  rebel  army  in  our  front,  under  the  command  of 
Wade  Hampton,  was  growing  larger  every  day,  and  our 
army  was  constantly  on  the  lookout  for  serious  opposition. 
As  we  approached  the  Wateree,  which  is  a  broad,  rapid 
stream,  means  were  adopted  to  secure  a  crossing  without 
opposition.  Our  brigade  was  marching  that  day  in  front 
of  the  rest  of  the  division,  but  one  or  more  divisions  were 
in  front  of  us.  As  darkness  came  on  we  expected  to  go  into 
camp  soon,  especially  when  we  saw  troops  already  en 
camped  for  the  night,  but  we  passed  through  their  camps, 
our  marching  pace  was  quickened,  and  away  we  went 
scurrying  into  the  darkness.  Our  brigade,  which  seemed 
to  be  alone,  hurried  on  at  a  rapid  rate  till  after  midnight, 
when  it  was  massed  in  an  open  field,  and  the  order  was 
passed  along  that  perfect  quiet  must  be  maintained. 

"Presently  a  wagon  loaded  with  ropes  and  a  skiff  was 
taken  to  the  front,  and  then  all  was  so  still  that  many  of 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       251 

the  men,  worn  out  by  the  long  march,  fell  on  the  ground 
and  were  soon  fast  asleep.  The  skiff  was  launched  in  the 
Wateree  just  in  front  of  us,  and  a  few  men  rowed  to  the 
farther  shore  carrying  a  small  rope  which  was  made  fast  to 
a  larger.  Then  the  skiff  was  hurried  back  and  forth,  tak 
ing  more  men,  some  of  whom  threw  up  a  barricade,  while 
others  pulled  the  heavier  rope  over.  By  the  time  the  cable 
was  drawn  across  and  fastened  to  a  tree,  a  hundred  men 
from  the  head  of  the  column  were  well  entrenched  on  the 
opposite  bank.  A  larger  boat  was  put  into  use  and  men 
in  greater  numbers  were  ferried  over. 

"The  pontoon  train  now  moved  to  the  front,  loaded  with 
material  for  making  a  floating  bridge,  and  there  was  a 
race  in  the  darkness  to  see  whether  the  night  or  the  bridge 
would  be  completed  first.  By  daybreak  the  whole  brigade 
was  over  and  had  taken  a  strong  position  on  the  hills,  and 
by  noon  the  Twentieth  Corps  was  on  the  east  side.  By 
night,  however,  the  rain  was  pouring  down  in  torrents, 
and  before  all  the  left  wing  had  crossed,  the  bridge  broke 
loose  at  one  end  and  the  river  had  swollen  till  there  were 
no  pontoons  to  span  it.  The  right  wing  of  the  army  was 
in  even  a  worse  condition,  and  was  compelled  to  take  up 
the  bridge  they  had  laid,  march  up  to  ours,  splice  it  with 
their  boats  and  cross  on  this  extended  bridge. 

"As  it  continued  to  rain  night  and  day,  the  roads,  the 
fields,  and  the  hills  even,  became  quagmires,  so  that  it  was 
necessary  to  corduroy  the  region  before  the  wagons  and 
the  artillery  could  be  drawn  to  the  hills  on  the  east  side. 
It  took  the  army  several  days  to  cross  this  river,  so  that  the 
region  was  entirely  stripped  of  provisions  by  the  rebel  and 
Union  forces.  A  quarter  ration  of  bacon  and  crackers  was 
issued  each  day  to  keep  the  men  from  starving.  When  we 


252  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

started  on  the  march  again  we  found  white  women  stand 
ing  at  the  roadside  with  crying  children  hanging  to  their 
skirts,  holding  out  aprons  or  small  baskets  begging  for 
food.  The  men  had  not  much  left  from  their  meager  ra 
tions,  but  they  divided  what  they  had.  Some  only  had  a 
cracker,  but  they  broke  it  in  two  and  dropped  the  half  in 
the  open  apron.  There  to  kill  opposing  men,  and  not 
knowing  when  or  where  food  for  the  future  was  to  come 
from,  they  could  not  bear  to  see  women  and  children  of 
the  enemy  starving." 

The  following  communication,  somewhat  condensed,  is 
from  J.  F.  Snow  of  Company  D:  "At  Cheraw,  near  the 
north  line  of  South  Carolina,  the  foragers,  under  command 
of  Captain  Fesler,  secured  a  good  supply  of  provisions 
some  twenty  miles  from  the  army's  line  of  march,  and 
started  on  their  return  to  the  regiment.  Frank  Hall  of 
Company  A  had  found  a  buggy,  which  the  rest  of  us  had 
loaded  with  forage  and,  going  a  long  way  ahead  of  the 
main  party,  turned  to  the  left  when  he  should  have  taken 
the  road  to  the  right.  J.  M.  Brown,  C.  Townsend  and 
myself,  all  members  of  Company  D,  started  to  hunt  him, 
for  the  load  in  the  carriage  was  for  our  company.  It  was 
almost  night  when  we  set  out,  and  was  about  ten  o'clock 
when  we  saw  him  coming  towards  us.  He  said  he  had  been 
looking  from  a  hill  at  a  camp  of  Johnnies  about  a  half  mile 
ahead.  We  told  him  to  drive  to  a  grist-mill  some  ten 
miles  away,  where  we  had  collected  a  lot  of  provisions,  and 
after  we  had  taken  a  look  at  the  Johnnies  we  would  join 
him. 

"Fires  were  burning  brightly,  as  though  the  rebels  had 
just  camped  and  were  preparing  supper.  A  farm-house  was 
nearby,  surrounded  by  negro  cabins,  so  we  rode  into  the 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       253 

yard,  waked  the  negroes,  and  told  them  we  were  Yankees 
and  wanted  something  to  eat.  They  gave  us  hoecake.  A 
large  bloodhound  discovered  us.  A  bullet  quieted  him,  but 
roused  the  rebels.  They  beat  the  long  roll,  formed  in 
line  and  got  ready  for  battle.  We  did  not  tarry  to  see 
what  else  they  did,  but  thought  best  to  keep  our  engage 
ment  with  Hall  at  the  mill. 

"The  next  morning  Townsend  and  Hall  went  to  camp 
with  all  the  forage  they  could  carry,  but  Brown  and  I 
remained  to  capture  some  horses  and  mules  that  we  heard 
were  secreted  in  the  brush,  for  we  were  anxious  to  get 
something  to  carry  the  balance  of  our  provisions.  Our 
luck  was  excellent,  for  we  found  a  number  of  animals,  and 
had  negroes  riding  some  and  leading  others.  Late  in  the 
afternoon,  when  we  were  going  to  our  rendezvous  at  the 
old  mill,  we  saw  rebel  cavalry  in  front  of  us,  so  we  gave 
the  Hoosier  yell  and  charged.  The  Johnnies  skedaddled, 
for  they  no  doubt  thought  a  troop  of  mounted  Yankees 
was  after  them.  Fortunately  the  negroes  did  not  see  the 
rebels,  for  if  they  had  they  would  not  have  laughed  as  they 
did,  and  most  of  them  would  have  gone  back,  and  taken 
our  stock  with  them. 

"There  were  some  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illi 
nois  regiment  at  the  mill  grinding  corn,  and  as  they  were 
like  brothers  to  us,  we  loaned  them  our  animals  to  carry 
provisions  to  camp,  they  agreeing  to  give  us  half  for  the  use 
of  our  stock.  Brown  and  I  set  out  for  camp,  twenty  miles 
away,  but  when  we  had  gone  fifteen  miles  we  heard  that 
our  army  had  moved  on,  and  that  the  rebels  were  camped 
where  the  Yankees  had  been.  Not  believing  this,  we  went 
to  see,  and  got  a  company  of  rebel  cavalry  after  us.  We 
struck  out  for  the  old  mill  again  as  fast  as  our  horses  could 


254  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

go,  and  soon  gathered  eighteen  other  foragers,  making  a 
squad  of  twenty  in  all.  Night  was  on  us,  but  the  moon 
was  shining. 

'The  company  having  selected  me  for  leader,  I  went  in 
advance,  and  seeing  two  objects  in  the  road,  dashed  for 
ward  and  questions  and  answers  came  quick  as  flashes  of 
lightning:  'Where  do  you  belong?'  'One  Hundred  and 
Second  Illinois!'  'Where  are  your  comrades  that  were  at 
the  mill?'  'All  killed  or  captured  but  us  two,  and  one  of 
us  has  a  flesh  wound  in  the  thigh.'  'How  many  rebels 
attacked  you,  and  where  are  they  now?'  'About  a  hun 
dred,  and  they  are  coming  this  way/ 

"Now  we  were  in  a  fix,  with  the  enemy  in  our  front  and 
rear  and  our  army  gone.    The  only  thing  to  be  done  was 
to  leave  our  horses  in  the  timber  and  go  afoot.    We  were 
fastening  the  animals  about  a  hundred  yards  from  the  road 
when  the  two  companies  of  rebels  met  on  the  very  spot  we 
had  just  abandoned.    Our  horses  were  securely  tied  to  the 
trees,  and  as  they  were  tired  they  did  not  betray  us  by 
making  a  noise.     We  took  nothing  but  our  guns  and 
ammunition  and  started  down  Jones  Creek  for  the  Great 
Pedee  River.     Although  undiscovered  by  them,  w<e  saw 
the  enemy's  pickets  plainly  and  had  to  crawl  through  the 
lines  on  our  hands  and  knees.     When  the  boys  got  tired 
we  would  stop  for  a  few  minutes'  rest,  and  as  some  of  them 
would  go  to  sleep  as  soon  as  we  halted,  we  had  to  wake 
such  of  them  as  we  could  find.     Every  now  and  then  one 
would  be  left,  so  that  only  eleven  of  the  twenty-two  reached 
the  Pedee  River.    God  help  those  we  lost,  was  our  thought. 
"When  Brown  and  I  finally  caught  up  to  the  wagon 
train  we  were  more  dead  than  alive,  for  we  had  had  four 
days  and  three  nights  of  as  hard  marching  as  ever  fell  to 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       255 

the  lot  of  mortal  man.  More  than  thirty-five  years  have 
passed,  and  I  have  not  recovered  from  this  trip,  and  no 
doubt  it  hastened  Brown  to  his  grave.  He  was  a  true 
comrade  and  a  brave  man,  always  ready  to  perform  any 
duty." 

With  characteristic  unwillingness  to  say  anything  that 
would  give  pain  to  relatives  Brown  does  not  mention  this 
adventure  in  his  letters,  but  writes  just  thereafter,  in  his 
usual  cheery  way,  as  follows:  "We  are  compelled  to  wade 
all  the  smaller  watercourses.  These,  in  some  cases,  are 
waist  deep,  and  one  of  the  most  amusing  sights  of  the 
service  is  to  be  seen  just  after  crossing  some  of  the  deepest 
of  these  streams.  We  are  allowed  time  to  stop  and  dry 
our  clothing,  and  to  see  a  regiment  of  men,  company  offi 
cers  and  all,  standing  around  fires,  each  man  holding  up 
his  pants  or  drawers,  is  fun,  at  least  for  us  boys.  Many 
times  we  were  not  permitted  to  stop,  but  trudged  right 
on  through  mud  and  water,  our  clothing  drying  as  we 
marched.  There  has  been  rain  in  abundance  and  we  have 
found  food  rather  scarce  on  this  march.  While  in  the  pine 
swamps  near  the  North  Carolina  line  our  mess  sent  out 
James  Simpson  to  forage,  and  after  being  out  a  night  and 
two  days,  he  returned  with  a  half-dozen  ears  of  corn,  and 
these  he  said  he  had  just  stolen  from  the  Colonel's  horse." 
Poor  Billy! 

U.  H.  Farr:  "From  Rocky  Mount  we  marched  to 
Chesterfield  and  to  Sneedsboro,  North  Carolina.  Going 
down  the  river,  we  crossed  it  at  Cheraw,  which  we  found  a 
mass  of  burning  ruins.  During  the  march  through  South 
Carolina  the  enemy  was  malignant,  the  citizens  hiding  from 
the  army,  but  coming  out  and  pouncing  upon  our  men 
whenever  they  could  be  found  in  numbers  small  enough  to 


256  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

be  overpowered.  The  bodies  of  the  dead  Union  soldiers 
showed  very  plainly  that  they  had  not  been  killed  in  open 
fight,  but  that  subsequent  to  their  surrender  they  had  been 
stabbed,  their  throats  cut,  and  their  bodies  mutilated  after 
death.  This  was  not  regarded  as  war,  so  when  one  of  our 
men  was  found  in  this  condition,  two  prisoners  were  shot 
and  the  rebel  commanders  officially  informed  of  the  fact, 
and  told  to  warn  the  people  to  discontinue  their  barbarous 
practices. 

"From  Cheraw  we  moved  toward  Fayetteville  on  the 
Cape  Fear  River.  The  rebels  took  a  stand  two  or  three 
miles  from  this  city,  but  our  foragers,  representing  every 
company  in  the  army,  forming  quite  a  host  when  united, 
came  into  collision  with  his  outposts.  These  men  pushed 
the  outposts  back  on  the  main  body,  which  they  found 
intrenched.  As  if  by  instinct  the  thousands  of  foragers, 
though  mounted  in  every  conceivable  manner,  formed  in 
line,  counted  off  cavalry  fashion,  dismounted,  leaving  every 
fourth  man  to  hold  the  horses,  and  carried  the  rifle  pits  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet.  The  horses  were  then  brought 
up,  the  enemy  driven  into  Fayetteville  and  across  the  river. 
The  day  we  lay  at  Fayetteville  a  monitor  from  Wilming 
ton  arrived  with  dispatches,  and  we  heard  of  the  fall  of 
Charleston  and  the  general  news,  the  first  we  had  received 
from  the  outside  world  since  leaving  the  vicinity  of  Savan 
nah." 

Templeton  Smith,  H.  Rapp  and  C.  Tucker  of  Company 
B,  entered  a  dwelling  where  the  mistress  had  prepared  an 
elegant  dinner — roast  turkey,  sweet  potatoes  and  hot  bis 
cuit — for  General  Joe  Wheeler  and  staff.  These  unin 
vited  guests  in  blue  were  greeted  by  the  reluctant  hostess 
with,  "Get  out  of  here  or  I'll  scald  you."  A  threat  of  the 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       257 

bayonet  shut  off  danger  from  hot  water,  but  did  not  stop 
the  torrent  of  vituperation.  While  a  deluge  of  words  was 
engulfing  Rapp  and  Tucker,  Smith  scooped  the  turkey, 
potatoes  and  biscuits  into  a  huge  dishpan,  quickly  wrapped 
the  tablecloth  around  to  keep  them  warm  and  disappeared. 
The  lady  doubtless  is  still  unconverted  and  talking  yet, 
but  Wheeler's  later  history  almost  makes  one  feel  sorry  for 
him. 

U.  H.  Farr:  "Having  moved  out  from  Fayetteville 
early  on  the  morning  of  March  sixteenth,  we  heard  artil 
lery  firing  in  our  advance.  The  second  and  third  brigades 
of  our  division  were  in  front  of  the  enemy  with  two  or 
three  batteries,  the  infantry  supporting  the  artillery.  The 
guns  were  pushed  up  closer  and  closer  by  hand,  while  they 
poured  shells  into  the  enemy's  entrenchments, — a  low  line 
of  dirt  rifle  pits  running  across  the  flat  country.  The  in 
fantry,  of  course,  moved  up  with  the  guns,  keeping  as 
close  to  the  ground  as  possible,  so  as  to  offer  no  mark  to 
the  enemy.  Meanwhile  our  brigade  was  sent  to  the  left 
through  the  woods,  and  passing  around  the  right  end  of 
the  enemy's  line,  formed  at  right  angles  to  his  works. 
When  the  firing  began  the  rebels  made  no  effort  to  stop 
this  flank  movement,  but  stampeded  to  the  rear,  leaving 
many  wounded  and  dead  and  two  pieces  of  light  artillery. 
General  Hardee  came  near  capture  while  he  was  watching 
the  troops  in  front.  Suddenly  he  saw  the  flanking  line, 
put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  dashed  from  the  field." 

J.  M.  Wills:  "Near  Averasborough  our  corps  came 
upon  the  rebel  army  strongly  fortified,  and  we  had  a 
hard  fight.  Our  brigade  charged  a  battery,  killed  or  cap 
tured  all  the  horses,  took  fifty-six  prisoners  and  seized  one 
twelve-pounder  gun  and  one  twelve-pounder  howitzer. 


258  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

"My  squad  of  foragers,  while  passing  through  a  heavy 
piece  of  pine  timber,  found  a  wagonload  of  white  corn. 
We  took  possession,  and  going  to  a  small  mill,  started  it 
and  ground  our  grain  into  meal.  One  bushel  per  hour  was 
the  capacity  of  that  mill.  While  engaged  in  this  slow  work 
we  saw  something  in  the  water  that  excited  our  curiosity. 
It  proved  to  be  a  fine  small  brass  cannon,  named  the  Star 
of  the  West.  One  wheel  had  gotten  out  of  order,  and  in 
their  haste  to  get  away  the  rebels  had  thrown  the  Star 
of  the  West  into  the  mill-pond.  While  foraging  we  asked 
a  young  black  man  where  his  people  had  hidden  their 
meat.  'Lah,  Massa,  up  in  the  woods.'  He  led  the  way 
to  the  place,  and  we  resurrected  sixty-four  hams,  six  for 
each  company  and  four  for  the  field  and  staff. 

"After  the  Averasborough  battle  we  had  a  good  many 
sick  and  wounded  to  care  for,  and  I  was  detailed  with  ten 
others  to  forage  for  the  hospital.  While  we  were  in  dis 
charge  of  our  duty,  one  of  the  boys  got  into  an  old  shuck- 
pen  and  found  eighty-seven  dollars  in  fifty-cent  pieces. 
The  sick  and  wounded  could  not  eat  these;  they  might 
give  comfort  to  the  enemy,  so  we  thought  the  best  use  we 
could  make  of  them  was  to  divide  them  equally  among 
ourselves. 

"While  the  army  was  moving  toward  Goldsboro  we 
foragers  ran  on  to  Wheeler's  cavalrymen.  They  disap 
peared  without  waiting  for  our  orders,  and  we  entered  a 
farm-house  not  far  away,  where  we  found  the  owner  at 
home,  as  he  was  too  rich  to  be  in  the  army.  There  was  side 
meat  in  great  abundance  and  yams  by  the  wagonload.  It 
struck  me  that  every  hog  had  as  many  hams  as  sides,  so 
after  searching  we  found  an  opening  into  the  garret,  where 
was  concealed  the  kind  of  meat  a  sick  or  wounded  man 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       259 

would  relish.  We  selected  and  threw  down  twenty-four  of 
the  best  hams,  added  them  to  our  wagonload  of  yams,  and 
bid  the  former  owner  good-day.  The  meanest  trick  I  saw 
in  my  foraging  experience  was  done  that  morning.  The 
man  of  the  house  had  on  a  new  pair  of  jean  pantaloons, 
woven  from  red  and  white  yarn  that  had  been  twisted  to 
gether.  A  boy  from  the  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illi 
nois  made  him  haul  off  his  good  trousers  and  swap  for  the 
dirty,  ragged  ones  the  Sucker  wore." 

U.  H.  Farr :  "As  we  marched  through  Averasborough 
many  crippled  rebels  with  arms  in  slings  or  heads  ban 
daged,  crowded  out  of  the  hospital  and  watched  us  passing 
by.  All  of  a  sudden  a  wounded  soldier  rushed  into  the 
ranks  and  seized  one  of  the  Seventy-ninth  boys,  calling  out 
to  him,  'Hello,  Jamie!'  The  two  Irishmen,  who  had  been 
close  friends  before  the  war,  but  had  separated,  the  one 
going  South,  the  other  West,  actually  hugged  each  other. 
The  friend  of  Jamie,  a  conscript  forced  into  the  rebel 
army,  declared  that  nothing  could  keep  him  from  joining 
his  companion;  though  wounded  he  could  march,  and 
the  next  morning  he  was  keeping  step  with  his  friend. 

"On  the  morning  of  March  nineteenth,  soon  after  we 
started,  the  booming  of  cannon  was  heard  from  the  direc 
tion  the  Fourteenth  Corps  had  taken.  At  first  but  little 
attention  was  paid  to  this,  but  as  we  drew  nearer  and  the 
roar  increased  and  became  incessant,  and  the  rattle  of 
musketry  was  perceived,  the  ranks  closed  up,  and  the  list 
less,  tired  look  disappeared  from  every  face.  Soon  orderlies 
on  sweating  horses  dashed  down  the  road,  and  away  we 
went  on  the  double-quick  to  support  our  hard-pressed 
comrades.  Just  as  we  reached  the  field  the  rebels  were 
making  a  charge,  but  through  the  belching  of  cannon  and 


260  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

the  crash  of  musketry  a  loud  cheer  could  be  heard  to  the 
right,  showing  that  our  men,  at  that  point  at  least,  had 
repulsed  the  attack.  Our  brigade  was  hurried  into  line 
and  thrown  out  to  the  left,  where  the  rebels  seemed  to  be 
contemplating  a  flank  movement.  A  skirmish  line  was 
pushed  out  to  the  left  of  this  line  even,  through  a  dense 
woods,  to  prevent  surprise.  Assault  after  assault  was  made 
by  the  rebels,  each  one  feebler  than  the  one  preceding, 
extending  the  battle  into  the  night,  but  at  last  the  noise 
ceased,  and  the  men  lay  quiet,  expecting  to  renew  the  con 
test  in  the  morning. 

"Two  or  three  days  later  General  Sherman  took  his 
station  by  the  roadside,  and  we  passed  in  review  as  we 
approached  Goldsboro.  We  marched  in  platoons,  and  I 
doubt  if  at  any  time  the  troops  of  the  rebel  army  were 
more  ragged  than  we.  Probably  one  man  in  a  dozen  had 
a  full  suit  of  clothes,  but  even  this  suit  was  patched  or  full 
of  holes.  Most  of  the  men  had  used  all  the  makeshifts 
possible  to  keep  up  something  like  decent  clothing.  Many 
were  bareheaded  or  had  a  handkerchief  tied  around  the 
head.  Many  had  on  hats  they  had  found  in  the  houses 
along  the  line  of  march,  an  old  worn-out  affair  in  every 
instance' — tall  crushed  silk  hats,  some  revolutionary  styles, 
many  without  tops,  caps  so  holey  that  the  hair  was  sticking 
out,  brimless  hats,  brimless  caps,  hats  mostly  brim.  Many 
men  had  no  coats  or  wore  buttonless  blouses,  and  being 
without  shirts  their  naked  chests  protruded.  Many  a 
coat  had  no  sleeves,  or  one  only,  the  sleeves  having  been 
used  to  patch  the  seat  or  knees  of  the  trousers,  in  a  mend 
ing  that  did  not  mend  appearances,  for  the  dark  blue  of 
the  patch  contrasted  with  the  light  color  of  the  pantaloons. 
The  thread  used  was  coarse  white  cotton  twine,  and  the 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       261 

amateur  tailor  fastened  the  patch  to  the  outside  with  long 
running  stitches.  Generally  both  legs  of  the  trousers  were 
off  nearly  to  the  knees,  though  now  and  then  a  man  more 
fortunate  had  only  one  leg  exposed.  Socks  had  disap 
peared  weeks  before,  and  many  a  shoeless  patriot,  with  feet 
torn  by  briars  in  the  recent  advance  through  the  thickets 
at  Bentonville  and  Averasborough,  kept  step  with  a  half- 
shod  comrade.  But  the  men  who  had  cut  off  the  tails  of 
their  dress  coats  'to  stop  a  hole  to  keep  the  wind  away/ 
though  bronzed  and  weather-beaten,  marched  by  General 
Sherman  with  heads  up  and  a  springy,  elastic  step,  every 
motion  speaking  a  willingness  to  follow  wherever  he  might 
lead. 

''Bandbox  soldiers,  as  the  boys  good-naturedly  called 
them,  who  had  recently  come  on  vessels  from  the  North, 
lined  the  road  as  spectators,  cheered  uproariously  and 
laughed  till  the  tears  ran  down  their  faces  whenever  the 
panorama  of  raggedness  became  unusually  ludicrous,  but 
the  General,  whose  hat  was  off  through  it  all,  bowed  the 
lower  when  some  sinewy  specimen  of  military  humanity, 
whose  clothing  hung  in  tatters  worn  to  shreds  by  rail- 
carrying  and  wagon-lifting,  indifferent  to  the  merriment 
of  the  onlookers,  stepped  proudly  in  front  of  his  leader. 
Occasionally  the  marching  army,  forgetting  that  it  was 
passing  in  review,  remembering  all  that  had  been  accom 
plished  in  the  past,  and  confident  that  Johnston's  and 
Lee's  armies  must  go  down  before  its  onset,  would  burst 
into  triumphant  cheers." 

General  W.  T.  Ward's  report,  which  is  too  comprehen 
sive  for  insertion  here,  mentions  in  terms  of  highest  praise 
the  members  of  his  staff  from  the  Seventieth  Indiana,  Cap 
tain  Scott  and  Lieutenants  Hardenbrook  and  Harryman. 


262  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

It  may  be  proper  to  introduce  extracts  from  Generals 
Sherman's  and  Slocum's  reports: 

I  beg  to  express,  in  the  most  emphatic  manner,  my  entire 
satisfaction  with  the  tone  and  temper  of  the  whole  army. 
Nothing  seems  to  dampen  their  energy,  zeal  or  cheerfulness. 
It  is  impossible  to  conceive  a  march  involving  more  labor 
and  exposure,  yet  I  cannot  recall  an  instance  of  bad  temper 
by  the  way  or  hearing  an  expression  of  doubt  as  to  our  perfect 
success  in  the  end.  I  believe  that  this  cheerfulness  and  har 
mony  of  action  reflects  upon  all  concerned  quite  as  much 
real  honor  and  fame  as  "battles  gained"  or  "cities  won/'  and 
I  therefore  commend  all — generals,  staff,  officers,  and  men— 
for  these  high  qualities,  in  addition  to  the  more  soldierly  ones 
of  obedience  to  orders  and  the  alacrity  they  have  always  man 
ifested  when  danger  summoned  them  "to  the  front." 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  SHERMAN, 
Major-General,  Commanding. 

Goldsboro,  N.  C,  April  4,  1865. 

I  have  witnessed  on  the  campaign  scenes  which  have  given 
me  a  more  exalted  opinion  than  I  ever  before  entertained 
of  the  earnest  patriotism  which  actuates  the  soldiers  of  this 
army.  I  have  repeatedly  seen  soldiers  of  my  command,  who 
were  making  parched  corn  supply  the  place  of  bread  and  who 
were  nearly  destitute  of  shoes  and  clothing,  go  cheerfully  to 
their  labor  in  the  swamps  of  South  Carolina,  working  hour 
after  hour  in  mud  and  water  to  bring  forward  our  immense 
trains,  and  yet  during  all  these  privations  and  hardships  I 
have  never  heard  from  an  officer  or  soldier  one  word  of  com 
plaint. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  SLOCUM, 
Major-General,  Commanding. 

Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  March  30,  1865. 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"       263 

Hdqrs.  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 

Near  Goldsboro,  N.  C,  March  26,  1865. 
I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  relating  to 
the  recent  march  from  Savannah,  Ga.,  to  this  place  to  date: 

The  regiment  destroyed  about  one  mile  of  track,  captured 
nineteen  horses,  twenty-six  mules  and  about  fifty  head  of  cat 
tle.  Destroyed  no  cotton  gins  or  cotton.  About  fifty  negroes 
followed  the  regiment. 

Obtained  from  the  country  through  which  we  passed  forage 
for  seventy-five  horses  and  mules;  supplies  or  rations  for  five 
hundred  and  ten  officers  and  men  for  about  forty-two  days 
during  the  march. 

Z.  S.  RAGAN, 

Major  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry. 
Lieut.  A.  H.  Trego, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 

Itinerary  as  found  in  Lieutenant  J.  C.  Bennett's  diary  for 
1865: 

February  first  and  second,  Robertsville. 

February  third,  Lawtonville. 

February  fourth,  Orins. 

February  fifth,  Alison. 

February  eighth,  Graham's  Turnout. 

February  ninth,  Blackville. 

February  tenth,  Williston. 

February  eleventh,  South  Edisto. 

February  twelfth,  North  Edisto. 

February  thirteenth,  five  miles  from  North  Edisto. 

February  fourteenth,  crossroads  at  Lexington  and  Co 
lumbia. 

February  fifteenth,  near  Lexington  Court  House. 

February  sixteenth,  congaree  in  front  of  Columbia. 

February  seventeenth,  near  Saluda  River. 

February  eighteenth,  between  Saluda  and  Broad. 

February  nineteenth,  on  Broad  River. 

February  twentieth,  marched  all  night. 

February  twenty-first,  passed  through  Winnsborough. 


264  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

February  twenty-second,  crossed  Big  Wateree,  camped  on 
east  side  Catawba. 

February  twenty-third,  marched  southeast  five  miles. 

February  twenty-fourth,  marched  five  miles  through  mud 
and  rain. 

February  twenty-fifth,  remained  in  camp. 

February  twenty-sixth,  at  Hanging  Rock. 

February  twenty-seventh,  lay  in  camp. 

^  February  twenty-eighth,  between  Hanging  Rock  and  Linch 
Creek. 

March  first,  crossed  Little  and  Big  Linch  Creeks.  Camp 
two  miles  beyond. 

March  second,  marched  ten  miles  toward  Chesterfield. 

March  fourth,  left  Chesterfield  and  camped  in  North  Car 
olina. 

March  fifth,  stopped  in  camp. 

March  sixth,  camped  near  Cheraw. 

March  seventh,  passed  through  Cheraw  at  four  o'clock  a. 
m.  and  camped  sixteen  miles  out  on  Fayetteville  road,  near 
railroad. 

^  March  eighth,  marched  eleven  miles  and  stopped  on  Little 
Creek. 

March  ninth,  encampment  on  Lumber  River. 

March  tenth,  spent  the  night  near  Rock  Fish  Creek. 

March  eleventh,  made  corduroy  road  as  we  marched  and 
camped  near  Fayetteville. 

March  twelfth,  staid  in  camp. 

March  thirteenth,  marched  through  Fayetteville.  Arsenal 
building  fine.  Crossed  Cape  Fear  River  and  camped  four 
miles  beyond. 

March  fourteenth,  while  in  camp  here  a  detail  went  to  Wil 
mington. 

March  fifteenth,  marched  ten  miles,  bummers  driving  the 
rebels  before  them. 

March  sixteenth,  skirmishing  all  day.  Our  brigade  cap 
tured  three  pieces  of  artillery.  Drove  rebels  five  miles  and 
camped  at  Huckleberry  swamp. 


"THEN  THEY  MARCHED  FIVE  PARASANGS"'       265 

March  seventeenth,  dined  at  Averasborough.  Rebels  left 
thirty  of  their  wounded  here. 

March  eighteenth,  marched  day  and  night,  wading  two 
swamps. 

March  nineteenth,  breakfasted  at  five  o'clock  A.  M.,  then 
marched  on  ten  miles  and  built  breastworks  on  the  left  of  the 
Fourteenth  Corps. 

March  twentieth,  moved  forward  a  half-mile  and  built  new- 
breastworks. 

March  twenty-first,  fell  back  to  old  line,  then  advanced  to 
new  line  again. 

March  twenty-second,  marched  towards  Goldsboro. 

March  twenty-third,  crossed  Neuse  River  and  camped 
within  four  miles  of  Goldsboro. 

March  twenty-fourth,  marched  through  Goldsboro  to  camp 
three  miles  beyond. 

March  twenty-sixth,  our  new  colors  came,  costing  three 
hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars. 

April  fifth,  the  Seventieth  and  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth 
went  foraging  some  six  miles  out.  Some  of  the  boys  got  too 
much  whisky.  The  preaching  at  night  from  the  fifty-fifth 
chapter  of  Isaiah  seemed  quite  appropriate. 

April  sixth,  review  by  General  Mower.  Received  news  of 
the  fall  of  Richmond. 

April  ninth,  preparing  for  another  campaign. 

April  tenth,  we  left  Goldsboro. 


CHAPTER  XV. 
RICHMOND,   WASHINGTON,   AND    HOME 

At  Goldsboro,  on  March  twenty-sixth,  the  colors  which 
had  been  ordered  from  New  York  came,  costing  three  hun 
dred  and  twenty-five  dollars.  The  hatless,  shoeless,  ragged, 
smoke-begrimed,  weather-stained  boys  came  crowding  up 
as  they  were  unfurled.  One  tattered  enthusiast  broke  out 
with,  "Lord,  boys,  they'll  think  we're  a  new  regiment  and 
come  charging  to  take  us  in;  but  won't  they  be  fooled 
though?"  A  shock-headed  fellow,  with  brawny  arms, 
gleaming  eyes  and  compressed  lips  muttered,  "By  God,  the 
rebel  division  can't  be  found  that  can  take  them  away  from 
us!"  Sterne  would  have  said,  "The  recording  angel,  as 
he  wrote  it  down,  dropped  a  tear  and  blotted  it  out  for 
ever." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "We  camped  in  some  pine  woods  northeast 
of  Goldsboro,  and  busied  ourselves  for  the  next  week  read 
ing  and  writing  letters,  cleaning  guns,  drawing  clothes, 
foraging  and  doing  picket  duty.  When  the  news  of  the 
fall  of  Petersburg  and  Richmond  came,  and  the  order  to 
move  against  Johnston  was  received,  there  was  a  night  of 
uproar,  men  cheering  and  canteens  exploding. 

"On  the  tenth  of  April  we  moved  out  and  reached  Smith- 
field  the  next  evening,  to  find  the  rebel  army  had  fallen 
back  to  Raleigh.  The  next  morning  early,  and  before  our 
part  of  the  command  had  left  the  camp,  we  heard  loud 
cheering  in  front  of  us  at  the  town.  This  cheering  kept 
up  at  a  certain  point  all  the  morning.  As  we  drew  near 
the  edge  of  the  town,  about  eight  or  nine  o'clock,  we  saw 

266 


RICHMOND,   WASHINGTON,   AND    HOME         267 

General  Sherman  to  the  left  of  the  road  walking  back  and 
forth.  A  staff  officer  stepped  out  and  handed  Colonel 
Merrill  a  paper.  He  stopped  his  horse  and  the  regiment 
halted  in  the  road.  The  Colonel  read  so  we  all  heard,  that 
General  Lee  had  surrendered  his  army  to  General  Grant 
at  Appomattox,  and  the  order  also  to  press  Johnston.  Wild 
cheers  were  given,  although  the  news  was  almost  too  good 
to  believe,  and  the  men  started  off  briskly  toward  Raleigh. 

"The  day  we  approached  that  city,  April  thirteenth,  the 
Seventieth  was  in  front  and  had  been  informed  that  the 
rebel  army  was  still  there.  All  day  long  our  advance  guard 
and  we  of  the  regular  column  had  expected  to  run  across 
the  enemy's  outposts,  and  now  from  the  high  rolling 
ground  the  church  spires  of  the  town  could  be  seen  glit 
tering  in  the  evening  sunshine.  A  little  in  our  advance 
men  were  seen  standing  in  the  road,  and  as  we  came  up 
they  proved  to  be  city  officials,  who  had  come  out  to  make 
a  surrender  of  the  place,  and  to  say  that  the  rebel  army  was 
forty  miles  away  at  Greenville." 

April  fifteenth,  Lieutenant  Bennett:  "A  protracted 
meeting  has  been  in  progress  for  some  time,  conducted  by 
Chaplains  Scott,  Baptist,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
ninth  Illinois;  Stillwell,  Methodist,  of  the  Seventy-ninth 
Ohio,  and  Allen,  Presbyterian,  of  the  Seventieth  Indiana. 
On  Sunday  the  Lord's  Supper  was  celebrated.  Twelve 
comrades  were  baptized.  There  have  been  from  twelve  to 
fifteen  inquirers  every  night.  We  arrange  the  grounds  in 
old  campmeeting  style  by  rolling  logs  together  and  laying 
boards  across  for  seats.  At  the  four  corners  of  the  ground 
elevated  fire  stands  are  made  by  driving  four  forked  stakes 
in  the  earth  and  covering  them  first  with  poles,  then  with 
dirt.  Pine  knots  burning  on  these  tall  lamp  stands  give  us 


268  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

light.  We  construct  a  platform  for  the  chaplains.  Twelve 
joined  the  Christian  Association  one  night,  signing  this 
bond  of  union: 

f  'We  do  hereby  acknowledge  to  each  other,  and  to  our 
God,  our  belief  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  that  they  are 
the  only  sufficient  rule  for  our  faith  and  practice;  and  our 
faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  only  Savior  of  sinners, 
and  do  pledge  ourselves  by  the  grace  of  God  to  live  as 
becometh  the  Gospel  of  Christ.'  " 

U.  H.  Farr :  "While  terms  of  Johnston's  surrender  were 
being  discussed,  news  came  of  President  Lincoln's  assassi 
nation,  which  cast  a  gloom  over  the  entire  army.  The  men, 
who  had  never  dreamed  of  such  a  stroke,  were  moved  pro 
foundly,  and  the  longing  for  one  more  battle,  in  which  no 
prisoners  should  be  taken,  was  universal." 

Lieutenant  Ketcham:  "Our  joy  is  changed  to  sorrow; 
our  friendship  toward  the  vanquished  to  bitter  hatred.  If 
it  be  true  that  our  beloved  President  is  thus  cruelly  mur 
dered,  it  seems  to  me  that  Providence  permits  it,  because 
he  has  been,  and  would  be,  too  lenient  to  these  proud,  over 
bearing,  ignorant  Southern  'gentlemen,'  and  that  Johnson 
will  crush  their  cruel,  wicked  spirit  with  his  iron  heel.  I 
must  confess  I  begin  to  hate  the  scoundrels  for  the  first 
time." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "Company  D  was  detailed  to  guard  the 
Insane  Asylum,  a  large  brick  building  in  the  suburbs  of 
Raleigh.  One  day  I  was  on  guard  at  the  front  door  on 
the  veranda,  and  as  some  trouble  had  arisen  because  the 
superintendent  had  refused  to  admit  a  negro  soldier  who 
had  lost  his  reason,  a  General  who  was  temporarily  in  com 
mand  during  Sherman's  absence,  came  to  investigate  the 
matter.  I  was  pacing  back  and  forth  on  the  veranda 


RICHMOND,   WASHINGTON,   AND    HOME         269 

when  this  General  and  a  Lieutenant  came  up.  I  did  not 
notice  who  it  was,  but  saw  the  two  stars  on  his  shoulder 
straps,  so  faced  outward  and  brought  my  gun  to  a  present 
arms.  As  they  passed,  the  Lieutenant  gave  me  a  salute  in 
return,  but  the  General  did  not.  I  was  mad,  and  decided 
that  as  the  General  came  out  I  would  stop  him  and  make 
him  salute  me,  as  no  officer  had  a  right  to  pass  a  sentinel 
without  saluting.  After  waiting  a  long  while  I  saw  them 
emerge  from  a  door  into  the  hall  and  start  toward  me, 
but  when  they  came  into  plain  view  I  saw  that  the  General 
had  one  empty  sleeve  stuffed  into  a  pocket,  and  looking 
into  his  face  I  recognized  General  Howard.  My  wrath, 
which  had  flashed  up  so  quickly,  died  in  a  second;  so  I 
faced  out,  presented  arms,  and  was  answered  by  a  salute 
from  the  Lieutenant  and  a  bow  from  the  General. 

"The  army  became  restless,  and  the  men  wrere  on  the 
hunt  for  anything  interesting  or  amusing.  A  man  oc 
cupied  a  cell  in  the  asylum  with  a  window  overlooking  a 
wide  space.  He  did  not  seem  to  be  at  all  insane,  was 
smart,  a  good  singer,  knew  a  lot  of  rebel  songs,  and  could 
tell  stories  to  perfection.  He  professed  to  be  a  Union  man 
and  begged  to  be  released.  He  had  a  violin  and  knew 
how  to  use  it.  He  would  drop  down  a  line  and  draw  up 
eatables  the  boys  would  give  him.  Soldiers  would  come 
in  from  all  the  command  and  stand  outside  the  guard  line, 
some  sixty  to  eighty  feet  away,  and  listen  to  him  sing  and 
play,  and  as  the  days  came  and  went  more  and  more  came 
to  hear  him,  till  finally  they  began  to  clamor  for  him  to  be 
let  out,  and  to  contend  that  he  was  truly  a  Union  man, 
imprisoned  because  he  would  not  fight  for  the  South. 

"One  day  I  was  on  guard  at  the  beat  his  window  over 
looked,  when  the  crowd  began  to  assemble  earlier  than 


270  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

usual,  so  that  before  noon  hundreds  of  men  were  standing 
just   outside  my   beat   with   upturned   faces   listening   to 
Rainey,  that  was  his  name,  sing.     I  marched  back  and 
forth,  with  my  bayonet  pointing  toward  the  crowd,  and 
whenever  a  man  advanced  I  lunged  at  him  and  ordered 
him  to  keep  back.     But  it  was  not  long  till  the  hundreds 
had  swelled  into  thousands,  and  the  crowd  in  the  rear 
pressed  those  in  advance  over  the  sentinel's  beat.     The 
crowd  in  front  of  me  gave  way  before  my  swinging  gun, 
but  as  soon  as  I  passed  they  would  surge  over  again.     I 
patiently  marched  back  and  cleared  the  path  again.    I  did 
this  time  after  time,  till  I  grew  hot  and  tired  and  hoarse. 
Some  of  the  men  now  became  bold  and  would  not  give 
way  until  they  felt  the  bayonet;  then  they  began  to  threaten 
and  curse  me.     I  was  just  ready  to  call  on  my  company 
for  help,  when  all  at  once,  while  I  was  near  the  middle  of 
my  beat,  I  heard  some  one  in  my  rear  storm  out,  'Back! 
Back!'  and  I  heard  the  men  behind  me  giving  back  and 
saw  those  in  front  of  me  falling  back  while  looking  at 
something  in  my  rear.    I  heard  a  saber  and  other  trappings 
rattling,  but  I  did  not  turn  till  I  got  to  the  end  of  my  beat, 
when  I  faced  about  and  saw  Major-General  Mower  swing 
ing  his  drawn  sword  and  yelling,  'Give  back/  while  his 
horse  went  plunging  among  the  men,  who  were  tumbling 
over  each  other  to  get  out  of  the  way.     I  saluted  him,  and 
he  saw  that  the  sweat  was  pouring  off  my  face,  and  that 
I  was  nearly  exhausted.     He  turned  on  the  men,  exclaim 
ing,  'Soldiers,  I  am  surprised  at  you.    Here  you  have  been 
imposing  on  this  sentinel,  who  had  a  right  to  shoot  you 
down,  but  he  forebore  to  do  it.     You  all  know  the  duty 
of  a  sentinel,  for  I  see  by  your  bronzed  faces  that  you  are 
veterans.     Shame  on  you  for  so  far  forgetting  yourselves 


RICHMOND,   WASHINGTON,   AND    HOME         271 

as  to  impose  on  the  good-natured  forbearance  of  a  sen 
tinel,  one  of  your  own  comrades.  Now  disperse  to  your 
quarters,  and  do  not  assemble  here  again.  Sentinel,  load 
your  gun  and  shoot  down  the  first  man  who  attempts  to 
press  on  your  beat  again.'  Shortly  after  this  Rainey,  hav 
ing  been  examined  by  the  surgeons,  was  released  and  fol 
lowed  the  army  to  the  North. 

"April  twenty-second  we  again  passed  in  review  before 
General  Sherman.  On  the  twenty-fifth  we  marched  to 
wards  Jones'  Cross  Roads,  twelve  miles,  and  on  the 
twenty-eighth  moved  back  to  Raleigh. 

"Soon  it  was  announced  that  the  war  was  ended,  and 
that  the  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Sixteenth  and  Twentieth 
Corps  would  march  to  Washington.  On  the  morning  of 
the  thirtieth  of  April  the  four  corps  broke  camp  amid  the 
cheers  of  the  thousands  of  men,  and  the  white  tents  that  so 
thickly  dotted  the  plain  around  the  city  came  down  as  if 
by  magic.  As  we  marched  through  the  city  of  Raleigh 
the  bands  of  each  brigade  or  division  played,  and  the  men 
of  the  Twenty-third  Corps  lined  the  streets  to  bid  us  fare 
well.  The  march  soon  became  a  race  between  the  four 
corps,  and  the  miles  were  passed  over  rapidly.  The  men 
from  General  Lee's  army,  whom  we  met  in  large  numbers, 
were  ragged  and  had  nothing  to  eat  and  no  blankets,  but 
the  weather  was  warm,  and  little  bedding  was  needed  by 
old  soldiers.  When  we  met  them,  as  we  were  going  into 
camp,  we  invited  them  to  sleep  with  us,  and  at  such  times 
talked  over  the  events  of  the  war  till  far  into  the  night. 
We  always  found  these  ex-rebels  friendly  and  glad  that 
the  war  was  over,  and  the  parting  in  the  morning  would 
be  like  leave-taking  of  old  friends. 

"After  we  crossed  the  Roanoke  we  came  to  a  section 


272  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

of  country  where  the  people  had  never  seen  a  Yankee  sol 
dier,  and  as  we  approached  a  town  white  and  black  turned 
out  to  see  us.  Our  bands  always  played,  and  we  marched 
on  time  and  made  a  fine  display.  The  people  seemed  sur 
prised  that  Sherman's  army  was  so  large,  so  well  equipped 
and  so  well  disciplined,  as  they  had  been  led  to  think  that 
it  was  a  rough  rabble  of  disorganized  cut-throats." 

An  officer  writes:  "All  along  the  road  through  North 
Carolina  and  Virginia  we  were  greeted  most  enthusias 
tically  by  the  dusky  inhabitants,  who  at  the  command  of 
the  jolly  soldiers  would  run  forward,  halt,  dance,  throw  up 
their  hats,  hurrah  for  Sherman,  lie  down,  roll  over  and 
attempt  to  do  all  these  things  at  once  in  the  vain  effort  to 
obey  a  dozen  contradictory  orders.  An  old  fellow  with 
wooden-soled  shoes,  the  uppers  of  which  were  of  leather 
in  the  Robinson  Crusoe  style,  hairy  side  out,  came  rushing 
from  the  woods  yelling  like  a  locomotive,  'Hurrah  for  the 

United  ,'  and  then  stood  wool  gathering,  trying  to 

recall  the  word  States.  Another,  who  had  thrown  himself, 
or  rather  his  voice,  away  in  the  excitement,  at  the  order 
to  give  three  cheers,  squawked,  squeaked  and  squealed, 
and  then  whispered  as  if  splitting  his  throat,  'O  Massa, 
I'se  done  hollered  so  much  I  jist  can't  make  no  noise.' 

"At  Williamsboro,  a  village  of  a  half  dozen  houses,  the 
whole  region  seemed  to  have  turned  out,  men,  women  and 
pickaninnies  following  the  musicians,  capering  in  the  most 
comical  manner,  performing  astonishing  antics  whenever 
the  bass  drummer  applied  his  sticks  with  extra  force. 
'Play!  play!  I  say!'  screamed  a  white  urchin  who  was  so 
unfortunate  as  to  reach  the  road  all  breathless,  just  as  the 
music  ceased.  With  all  the  dignity  of  the  Emperor  of 
Soudan  an  aged  African  quieted  the  young  patrician  with, 


RICHMOND,   WASHINGTON,   AND    HOME         273 

'Don't  you  be  ordern  dem  gemmen'  'roun,  sah;  now  I  tell 
you.' 

"One  of  our  captains,  whose  courage  is  only  equaled  by 
his  integrity,  and  his  patriotism  by  his  faith  in  the  brother 
hood  of  man,  caught  sight  of  a  scarecrow,  so  the  boys  of 
his  company  tell  it.  Instantly  his  sympathetic  soul  was 
moved,  and  he  called  out,  'Hello  there,  Sambo,  come  along. 
Don't  you  know  you're  free?'  ' 

U.  H.  Farr:  "We  marched  through  Richmond,  then 
through  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  and  came  to  the 
works  some  quarter  of  a  mile  away.  The  timber  was  lit 
erally  riddled,  the  trees  from  the  ground  up  being  left  in 
splinters,  not  a  whole  tree  standing,  but  stumps,  some 
short,  some  long,  and  these  pecked  full  of  holes  by  minie 
balls.  As  we  passed  along  the  road  about  a  mile  from  the 
Court  House  we  came  to  a  point  where  General  Hancock 
made  an  early  morning  attack,  carrying  the  rebel  works 
and  capturing  thousands  of  prisoners,  though  by  a  counter 
charge  the  enemy  regained  their  works.  A  breastwork  of 
several  rods  had  been  made  of  Enfield  and  Springfield  rifles 
as  high  as  a  man's  head,  and  the  ground  in  front  of  this 
line  of  works  was  thickly  strewn  with  dead  Union  soldiers. 
I  saw  over  a  thousand  dead  as  far  as  I  went,  the  bodies 
rotten  and  the  skin  of  the  faces  dried  in  the  sun,  but  the 
blue  cloth  of  the  uniforms  sound  and  the  color  unchanged. 
Some  of  the  dead  were  sitting  upright  against  trees,  and 
others  showed  that  they  had  been  wounded  in  the  legs  and 
had  ripped  up  the  clothing  to  bandage  the  leg  and  stop  the 
flow  of  blood,  and  had  died  in  that  condition.  None  had 
been  buried  in  that  part  of  the  field.  Out  along  the  road 
we  were  marching,  however,  most  of  the  dead  bodies  had 
a  few  spadesful  of  dirt  thrown  over  them,  but  in  almost 


274  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

every  instance  some  extremity  was  left  uncovered.  I  saw 
feet  sticking  out  of  the  dirt,  or  a  hand  protruding,  as  if 
mutely  appealing  for  help. 

"As  we  passed  through  the  battle  grounds  of  Spottsyl- 
vania  Court  House  and  the  Wilderness  our  part  of  the 
command  was  in  front,  but  it  was  reported  that  night  in 
the  camps  that  General  Sherman  detailed  men  to  bury  the 
dead  on  those  two  fields.  I  heard  many  comments  from 
our  men  not  altogether  complimentary  to  Grant  or  Meade 
for  failing  to  bury  their  dead.  It  is  true  the  rebels  held 
both  of  those  battlefields  after  the  conflict  had  ended,  and 
as  Grant  was  endeavoring  to  swing  his  army  around  to 
the  left  and  come  in  between  the  rebel  army  and  Rich 
mond,  and  as  Lee  was  always  moving  to  the  right,  the 
rebels  were  in  possession  of  the  field  last,  but  Meade's 
troops  must  have  marched  to  Washington  over  those  same 
roads,  and  they  should  have  buried  their  dead  as  they 
passed.  We  pitched  our  camp  that  night  on  the  Chancel- 
lorsville  battlefield,  at  about  the  point  where  the  left  wing 
of  the  Eleventh  Corps  was  resting  when  it  was  assaulted 
by  Jackson's  command, — where  it  was  crushed  and  igno- 
miniously  routed." 

An  officer  writes:  "Our  way  led  us  through  the  Spottsyl- 
vania  battle  ground.  Everywhere  were  visible  the  terrible 
signs  of  the  struggle — trees  mowed  down  by  artillery, 
lowly  mounds,  with  nothing  to  testify  whose  was  the  rest 
ing  place,  and,  sadder  still,  unburied  remains.  Bones  lay 
by  the  roadside;  and  in  a  yard  where  a  woman  stood  and 
discoursed  about  the  struggle  to  inquirers,  lay  two  skulls, 
silent  evidences  of  her  inhumanity.  In  a  thicket  nearby, 
where  the  appalling  stillness  seems  never  to  have  been 
broken  except  by  owl,  or  bat,  or  raven,  lie  hundreds  of 


RICHMOND,   WASHINGTON,   AND   HOME         275 

skeletons.  Some  had  collected  as  they  lay  wounded  such 
sticks  and  twigs  as  were  within  their  reach,  and  had  striven 
to  erect  a  barrier  to  protect  them  from  further  injury. 
Some  had  taken  the  straps  from  their  knapsacks  to  bind  a 
severed  artery,  and  now  the  leather  lying  loosely  about  the 
bone  told  pathetically  of  the  vain  effort. 

"We  encamped  on  the  field  of  Chancellorsville.  Orders 
prohibiting  rail  burning  have  been  very  strict,  but  in  this 
vicinity,  where  contending  armies  have  destroyed  every 
thing,  they  are  superfluous.  A  former  member  of  the 
Twenty-seventh,  now  of  the  Seventieth,  amused  his  com 
rades  by  informing  them  that,  for  old  times'  sake,  he  meant 
to  boil  his  coffee  that  night  by  a  rail  fire;  for,  two  years 
before,  he  had  crossed  a  little  stream  by  the  aid  of  a  rail. 
Sure  enough  the  rail  was  found,  the  coffee  boiled,  and 
listeners  gathered  round  the  blaze  to  hear  once  more  the 
oft-repeated  story  of  Hooker's  victory  and  defeat. 

"Some  of  us  visited  the  Wilderness  battle  ground,  and 
saw  there  the  same  sad  scenes.  The  commingled  bones  of 
horse  and  rider,  all  the  possessions  of  the  soldier,  from  the 
envelope  with  its  faint  address  in  a  woman's  hand  to  the 
broken  gun,  lie  scattered  over  the  ground.  Knapsacks, 
placed  together  by  companies  before  they  made  a  charge, 
and  for  which  the  owners  never  returned,  remain  in  decay 
ing  heaps.  'Tis  a  gloomy  sepulchre,  where  the  trees,  in 
tenderly  covering  with  leaves  the  remains  of  the  patriots, 
alone  perform  the  last  sad  offices.  The  wind  moans 
through  the  pines,  tears  fall  at  home  for  them,  but  they 
sleep  on,  unconscious  of  a  weeping  nation. 

"An  old,  gray-haired  man  leaned  upon  his  hoe  handle 
trying  to  quiet  his  trembling  head  as  he  said,  'Ah,  sir; 
there  are  thousands  of  both  sides  lying  unburied  in  the 


276  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

Wilderness.  A  fire  broke  out  and  hundreds  of  the  helpless 
were  burned  to  death.' ' 

U.  H.  Farr:  "Emerging  from  the  Wilderness  we 
marched  by  the  old  Chancellor  house,  which  was  some 
half  mile  from  our  place  of  bivouac,  and  showed  shell 
marks  and  that  the  woodwork  had  been  burned,  leaving  the 
bare  walls  standing.  We  crossed  the  Rappahannock  a  mile 
or  so  farther  on  by  a  pontoon  bridge.  The  country  was 
destitute  of  inhabitants,  for  no  houses  remained.  We 
reached  the  vicinity  of  Alexandria  the  nineteenth  of  May, 
1865,  and  settled  down  for  a  few  days'  rest. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  twenty-fourth  we  struck  tents 
and  marched,  going  by  way  of  Alexandria  around  the  south 
end  of  Arlington  Heights,  and  crossing  the  long  bridge  to 
Washington,  passed  by  the  Capitol  up  Pennsylvania  ave 
nue.  In  the  grounds  facing  the  avenue  stands  had  been 
put  up  for  .the  reviewing  officers." 

An  officer  writes:  "Yesterday,  for  the  last  time,  we 
passed  in  review  before  all  the  great  officials  of  the  Govern 
ment,  and  the  representatives  of  foreign  nations.  The 
swaying  battalions  marching  down  the  avenue,  the  cheer 
ing  multitudes  lining  either  side,  formed  a  spectacle  never 
to  be  forgotten.  At  last  we  have  made  the  'Grand  Rounds,' 
and  our  work  is  done.  Every  heart  was  heavy,  and  many 
an  eye  was  moist  as  we  approached  the  reviewing  stand, 
for  the  kindly  welcoming  face  we  had  longed  to  see  had 
vanished  forever.  One  is  tempted  to  feel  sometimes  that 
life  is  made  up  of  hopes  and  mockeries.  *  *  * 

"While  I  was  looking  over  the  recent  publications  in  a 
bookstore,  to  which  I  had  hastened,  for  I  have  been  so  long 
without  books  that  the  touch  of  one  thrills  me,  the  pro 
prietor  approached  me  and  fell  into  conversation,  remark- 


RICHMOND,   WASHINGTON,   AND    HOME         277 

ing  after  awhile,  'I  suppose  you  officers  are  sorry  the  war's 
over,  as  you  will  now  lose  your  job?'  'What!'  I  exclaimed, 
for  I  could  scarcely  believe  my  ears.  He  repeated  the  ob 
servation.  It  was  hard  to  keep  hands  off  of  him,  but 
turning  to  go  I  said,  There  may  be  such  creatures  lying 
around  Washington,  but  I  have  never  seen  officer  or  pri 
vate  show  anything  but  delight  at  the  approach  of  peace, 
and  you  are  the  first  man  I  ever  heard  express  such  a  sus 
picion,  or  utter  such  a  sentiment.' 

"It's  amazing,  but  the  atmosphere  of  Washington  can 
make  a  dog  even  of  a  handler  of  books." 

U.  H.  Farr:  "Early  on  the  morning  of  June  ninth  we 
boarded  the  freight  cars  on  the  B.  &  O.  R.  R.  When  we 
arrived  at  Grafton,  West  Virginia,  about  midnight,  we 
got  off  for  lunch,  and  found  men  under  a  shed  nearby  mak 
ing  coffee  for  us  in  large  iron  kettles.  They  had  a  lot  of 
fat  pickeled  pork,  boiled,  and  bread  in  loaves.  After  we  had 
eaten  we  took  what  we  wanted  of  the  provisions  in  our 
haversacks.  About  noon  next  day  we  arrived  at  Parkers- 
burg,  and  about  dusk  boarded  a  steamboat,  reaching 
Lawrenceburg  just  after  dark,  twenty-four  hours  later. 
When  the  gangplanks  were  thrown  out  we  made  a  rush 
to  see  who  should  first  set  foot  on  Indiana  soil.  The  citi 
zens  were  in  waiting  to  receive  us,  and  we  were  divided 
up  in  squads  of  two  to  twelve  or  more,  and  taken  in  charge 
by  young  ladies  largely,  conducted  to  their  homes,  enter 
tained  in  royal  style,  and  given  good  suppers.  We  arrived 
at  Indianapolis  the  next  morning  and  were  met  by  many 
friends.  At  the  arsenal  we  turned  over  our  guns  to  the 
United  States  officials,  and  then  went  to  the  Soldiers' 
Home  for  dinner.  At  Camp  Carrington  we  were  given 
a  barrack  building  for  each  company,  where  we  remained 


278  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

some  seven  days  till  we  were  paid  off,  got  our  discharges 
and  reached  home  on  the  eighteenth  of  June,  1865." 

Headquarters  First  Brigade, 
Third  Division,  Twenty-first  Army  Corps, 

Near  Washington,  D.  C.,  May  31,  1865. 

Captain — I  herewith  transmit  to  you  the  report  of  Col. 
Henry  Case  of  the  operations  of  this  brigade  from  tenth  of 
April,  when  the  command  left  Goldsboro,  to  the  nineteenth, 
same  month,  when  I  resumed  command.  I  have  also  the 
honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  movements  of  the 
brigade  from  April  nineteenth,  1865,  to  the  present  time : 

From  the  nineteenth  of  April  to  the  twenty-fifth  the  brigade 
remained  in  camp  at  Raleigh,  the  time  being  spent  in  refitting 
and  in  the  ordinary  routine  of  camp  duties.  On  the  twenty- 
fifth  of  April,  the  negotiations  with  the  rebel  leaders  having 
failed,  the  army  was  again  put  in  motion  toward  the  enemy. 
This  brigade  broke  camp  at  7:30  A.  M.,  and  marched  fifteen 
miles  west  of  south  to  Jones'  Cross  Roads,  where  we  encamped. 
The  army  having  been  put  upon  half  rations  before  leaving 
Raleigh,  foraging  was  again  resumed,  and  though  the  country 
was  poor,  sufficient  forage  and  subsistence  was  procured  for 
the  men  and  public  animals.  The  command  remained  at  the 
crossroads  until  the  twenty-eighth  of  April,  when  it  was 
again  moved  back  to  Raleigh  and  put  in  its  old  camp.  On 
the  thirtieth  day  of  April  the  whole  army  took  up  the  line  of 
march  for  Richmond,  Va.,  and  Washington,  D.  C.  Orders 
received  before  starting  contemplated  that  this  march  was  to 
be  conducted  with  a  view  to  the  comfort  of  the  troops,  and 
suggested  fifteen  miles  per  day  as  the  limit,  unless  circum 
stances  should  require  a  longer  march.  Orders  also  required 
all  foraging  from  the  country  to  cease,  and  prohibited  soldiers 
from  entering  private  houses  on  any  pretense.  The  march 
was  not  made  as  easy  or  comfortable  to  the  troops  as  the  order 
contemplated.  The  average  march  per  day  being  above  the 
limit  suggested,  and  on  some  days  so  far  exceeding  it  that  the 
troops  were  very  much  worried  and  exhausted,  extending  on 


RICHMOND,   WASHINGTON,   AND    HOME         279 

one  or  two  days  to  twenty-three  and  twenty-five  miles.  On 
the  part  of  the  troops  the  orders  were  faithfully  observed;  it 
was  really  surprising  to  see  an  army  so  long  accustomed  to 
living  off  the  country  and  to  the  irregularities  necessarily  re 
sulting  at  once  resume  their  habits  of  order  and  good  dis 
cipline,  and  is  highly  creditable  to  the  army.  Only  one  or  two 
slight  cases  of  thieving  came  to  my  knowledge  during  the 
whole  march. 

On  the  ninth  of  May  the  brigade  went  into  camp  about  six 
miles  from  Richmond,  Va.,  where  we  remained  until  the  elev 
enth,  when  we  again  moved,  passing  through  Manchester  and 
Richmond,  and  went  into  camp  about  four  miles  from  the 
latter  place.  The  command  moved  through  the  cities  in  col 
umn,  with  music  playing  and  in  good  review  order.  In  pass 
ing  through  Manchester  we  were  very  handsomely  received 
by  General  Devens,  who  had  his  division  of  the  Twenty-fourth 
Army  Corps  paraded  at  open  order  on  the  left  of  the  line  of 
march  and  saluted  each  brigade  as  it  passed.  On  the  morning 
of  the  twelfth  we  again  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  Alex 
andria,  Va.,  and  renewed  orders  having  been  received  to  make 
the  march  easy,  and  not,  except  in  cases  of  absolute  necessity, 
to  exceed  fifteen  miles  per  day,  it  was  conducted  with  much 
greater  comfort  to  the  men  on  the  entire  route  to  this  place. 
On  the  nineteenth  of  May  we  reached  our  camp  near  Alex 
andria  (Cloud's  Mills),  and  went  into  camp.  Preparations  were 
at  once  begun  for  the  grand  review  by  the  President,  ordered 
for  the  twenty-fourth  instant,  and  much  difficulty  was  ex 
perienced  in  getting  needed  supplies.  The  troops  were  at  last 
pretty  well  equipped  for  the  review.  On  the  twenty-fourth, 
at  sunrise,  the  brigade  broke  camp,  loading  knapsacks  and 
haversacks  into  the  train,  and  marched  toward  Long  Bridge, 
where  we  rested  until  the  way  was  clear  for  crossing.  Cross 
ing  the  bridge  the  command  was  formed  in  column  of  com 
panies  and  moved  in  review  up  Pennsylvania  avenue,  and 
passed  the  President's  stand  near  the  White  House. 

The  review  was  creditable  to  the  troops  and  gave  to  those 
who  had  never  seen  Sherman's  army  a  new  and  unexpected 


280  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

view.  They  had  looked  for  an  army  of  "Bummers,"  wild,  un 
disciplined,  and  unskilled  in  the  precision  of  military  move 
ments.  They  saw,  instead,  an  army  that  could  be  "Bummers" 
par  excellence  when  necessity  required,  and  when  that  neces 
sity  was  removed,  could  at  once  exhibit  a  subordination  and 
a  precision  in  drill  and  movement  excelled  by  no  other  army. 

After  passing  in  review  this  brigade  was  marched  to  its 
present  camp,  about  four  miles  from  Washington,  on  the 
Bladensburg  road,  and  about  one  mile  from  the  latter  place. 

I  have  to  report  the  loss  of  one  officer  and  one  enlisted  man 
on  the  march  from  Richmond.  On  the  morning  of  May 
eighteenth,  when  the  brigade  left  its  camp  on  the  battle  ground 
of  Chancellorsville,  Lieutenant  Snyder,  Adjutant  One  Hun 
dred  and  Second  Illinois  Volunteers,  accompanied  by  one 
mounted  orderly,  left  the  column  by  permission  of  Colonel 
Smith,  commanding  his  regiment,  to  look  over  the  battle 
ground  and  rejoin  the  column  before  crossing  the  Rappa- 
hannock.  Since  that  time  nothing  has  been  heard  from  them, 
and  it  is  feared  that  they  were  killed  by  some  guerrillas.  He 
was  a  good  officer  and  had  rendered  faithful  service  to  his 
country. 

In  making  this  closing  report  of  my  brigade  I  beg  leave  to 
suggest  that  the  services  of  some  of  my  regimental  and  staff 
officers  deserve  recognition  at  the  hands  of  the  War  Depart 
ment,  and  I  therefore  recommend  and  respectfully  urge  upon 
the  Department  that  the  following  named  officers  receive  a  bre 
vet  one  grade  above  their  present  rank:  First,  Lieut.-Col.  A. 
W.  Doane,  Seventy-ninth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry;  second, 
Lieut.-Col.  E.  F.  Dutton,  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois  Vol 
unteer  Infantry;  third,  Lieut.-Col.  Samuel  Merrill,  Seventieth 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry ;  fourth,  Capt.  Samuel  T.  Walkley, 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteers,  Acting 
Assistant  Inspector-General;  fifth,  First  Lieut.  Alfred  H. 
Trego,  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  Volunteers,  Acting 
Assistant  Adjutant-General;  sixth,  First  Lieut.  George  W. 
Gilcrist,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteers, 


RICHMOND,   WASHINGTON,   AND    HOME         281 

Aide  de  camp;  seventh,  Maj.  A.  W.  Reagan,  surgeon,  Seven 
tieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  Brigade  Surgeon. 

BENJA.  HARRISON, 
Bvt.  Brig.-Gen.  U.  S.  Vols., 
Comdg.  ist  Brig.,  3d  Div.,  2Oth  Corps. 
Captain  Crawford, 

Actg.  Asst.  Adjutant-General, 

Third  Division,  Twentieth  Corps. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

AGAIN   ON   THE  MARCH 

Twenty-three  years  had  passed  away  since  the  events 
narrated  in  the  last  chapter.  The  members  of  the  Seven 
tieth  Indiana  had  scattered  far  and  wide,  and  were  quietly 
exemplifying  in  their  homes  the  virtues  manifested  in  the 
army.  Many  a  man  bore  with  him  as  a  relic  of  hardship 
and  exposure  the  disease  that  made  a  useful  existence  all 
too  brief.  Esteem  deepened  into  love  among  the  survivors 
as  the  days  glided  by,  and  as  comrade  after  comrade  an 
swered  no  longer  to  the  annual  roll  call.  Those  who 
remained  heard  with  joy  that  their  former  Colonel,  Benja 
min  Harrison,  had  been  nominated  as  a  candidate  for  the 
Presidency,  and  such  as  had  opportunity — three  hundred 
and  seventy-seven  in  all — signed  the  following  tribute  and 
published  it  to  the  world: 

The  survivors  of  the  Seventieth  Regiment,  Indiana 
Volunteers,  congratulate  themselves  because  their  old  com 
mander,  Gen.  Benjamin  Harrison,  has  been  nominated  as 
candidate  for  President  of  the  United  States. 

They  recollect  the  manly  characteristics  manifested  by 
him  in  the  camp,  and  the  high  soldiery  qualities  that 
adorned  his  character  in  the  field. 

They  recall  his  untiring  efforts  in  perfecting  his  men  in 
military  tactics;  his  vigilance  in  the  midst  of  danger;  his 
courage  in  battle;  his  quickness  to  see  the  design  of  the 
enemy,  and  his  swiftness  to  strike  and  crush  him. 

They  recollect  his  care  for  the  health,  the  food  and  the 

282 


AGAIN   ON   THE   MARCH  283 

clothing  of  those  who  composed  his  command,  and  the 
resolute  manner  in  which  he  kept  the  men  from  being  im 
posed  upon  by  shirkers  of  duty  or  arbitrary  officers. 

They  remember  his  kindness  to  the  sick,  and  his  habit 
of  sharing  the  discomforts  of  army  life  with  those  in  the 
ranks. 

They  can  never  forget  his  carrying  the  rifle  and  knap 
sack  of  the  exhausted  soldier,  and  his  tramping  through 
the  mud  while  a  footsore  comrade  occupied  his  place  in 
the  saddle. 

When  men  have  sacrificed  home,  have  journeyed  wearily 
together  through  intolerable  heat,  bitter  cold  or  the  pelt 
ing  tempest,  have  shared  rough  food  and  the  cravings  of 
hunger,  have  shivered  with  scanty  covering  through  nights 
on  damp  or  frozen  ground,  have  been  in  constant  danger 
from  the  bullets  of  the  enemy  and  the  shafts  of  disease, 
have  experienced  a  daily  and  nightly  trial  of  courage,  have 
grieved  together  over  the  fallen,  and  joined  at  last  in  the 
same  glorious  triumph,  a  friendship  is  formed  that  will 
endure  when  partisanship  and  political  animosities  have 
sunk  into  oblivion. 

The  fires  of  battle  united  us,  and  memories  more  pre 
cious  than  life  hold  us  as  one,  so  that  the  contest  of  our 
old  commander  is  ours. 

Every  noble  impulse  emanating  from  comradeship 
prompts  us  to  follow  our  leader,  and  inspires  us  to  call 
upon  veterans  from  our  reunited  country  to  accept  a  leader 
ship  that  will  surely  guide  to  victory  and  honor. 

When  the  political  contest  had  resulted  successfully,  and 
the  time  for  the  inauguration  approached,  a  large  number 
of  the  survivors  of  the  Seventieth  Indiana,  on  Friday  after- 


284  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

noon,  March  first,  1889,  headed  by  a  military  band,  formed 
into  platoons  near  the  Court  House  at  Indianapolis,  and 
marching  to  the  Union  Station,  boarded  a  train  of  Pullman 
cars  bound  for  Washington.  These  cars  had  been  char 
tered  by  the  members  of  the  organization,  to  be  occupied 
by  them  during  their  absence. 

By  some  mistake  the  train  swept  through  Shelbyville, 
leaving  eight  of  the  comrades,  who  had  intended  to  start 
from  that  city,  standing  on  the  platform.  A  telegram  from 
our  next  stopping  place  induced  them  to  take  the  first 
express  and  join  us  at  Cincinnati. 

While  the  coaches  were  moving  at  that  city,  prepara 
tory  to  starting  directly  eastward,  a  locomotive  came 
crushing  into  the  side  of  one  of  the  sleepers,  forcing  it 
through  a  two-story  brick  building.  For  a  moment  it 
reminded  one  of  an  old-time  battle;  the  falling  bricks,  rush 
ing  steam,  tumbling  lamps  and  grinding  timbers,  repre 
senting  in  no  feeble  way  the  never-to-be  forgotten  horror 
of  bursting  shells  and  blinding  smoke.  No  one  seemed 
to  be  hurt  seriously  except  a  tramp,  who  happened  to  be 
in  the  building,  and  who  groaned  and  howled  mournfully 
from  beneath  a  mound  of  bricks.  When  dug  out  he  was 
as  flat  as  a  hard  tack,  but  a  few  long  breaths  rounded  him 
into  shape  again,  and  enabled  him  to  limp  off  shaking  his 
head,  first  at  the  mountain  of  bricks,  then  at  the  car,  and 
lastly  at  the  locomotive. 

The  occupants  of  the  coach,  busy  with  the  contents  of 
their  lunch  baskets,  bread  and  butter,  cold  ham  and  boiled 
eggs,  bologna  and  sponge  cake,  for  an  instant  forgot  sup 
per,  and  would  have  sold  their  chances  for  life  very  cheap; 
but  a  moment  after,  soldier-like,  were  mad  as  hornets  be- 


AGAIN  ON  THE  MARCH  285 

cause  the  floor  was  carpeted  with  food,  and  because  the 
coffee  just  purchased  was  trickling  down  their  legs  instead 
of  their  throats. 

A  few  hours'  detention  was  the  result  of  this  adventure ; 
then  with  a  new  sleeper,  and  our  reinforcement  from 
Shelbyville,  we  prepared  our  beds  for  the  night  and  took 
up  our  journey  toward  the  Potomac.  Each  car  boasted 
of  having  the  finest  choir  of  snorers,  and  the  rivalry  was 
so  great,  that  even  those  who  claimed  heretofore  to  have 
slept  noiselessly,  contracted  the  habit  and  joined  with  the 
rest  in  making  the  mountains  and  valleys  ring  with  the 
music. 

There  was  great  fun  the  next  day  in  going  through  the 
train  and  seeing  how  many  faces  could  be  recognized,  in 
talking  of  old  times  and  recent  times,  of  easy  and  even  of 
hard  times,  for  it  was  found  that  the  army  characteristic 
of  laughing  at  misfortune  had  settled  with  many  into  a  life 
long  habit. 

It  was  interesting  to  hear  a  discussion  as  to  whether 
Sherman  showed  wisdom  in  declining  the  office  of  Presi 
dent.  All  agreed  that  he  was  right  in  asserting  that  the 
Virginian  Thomas  was  a  greater  general  than  the  Virginian 
Lee;  for  leaving  loyalty  out  of  consideration,  the  former 
was  always  victorious  in  each  of  the  States  in  which  he 
fought,  no  matter  who  chose  the  battle  ground,  while  the 
latter  could  not  gain  a  victory  outside  of  his  own  State  or 
on  any  ground  except  that  of  his  own  choosing.  Grant's 
last  great  battle,  in  which  he  held  death  at  arm's  length 
until  he  had  completed  the  book  that  was  to  lift  his  family 
out  of  the  ruin  a  financial  crash  had  wrought,  was  spoken 
of  in  low  tones  but  admiring  terms. 


286  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

Personal  histories  were  even  more  entertaining.  A  few 
when  the  war  closed  had  found  friends,  occupations  and 
success  awaiting  them,  and  their  lives  had  been  in  con 
tinuous  sunshine.  One  said,  "Everybody  was  busy,  but 
there  seemed  to  be  no  place  for  me;  so  after  scuffling 
around  for  months  trying  to  find  something  to  do,  I  moved 
on."  Another,  who  was  a  little  cynical,  "Yes,  we  were 
greeted  by  those  who  sympathized  with  the  North  as  long- 
lost  brothers,  then  forgotten,  either  because  they  were 
absorbed  in  their  own  business,  or  because  they  thought  a 
soldier,  of  course,  would  vote  right,  and  it  was  pretty 
tough  getting  along  at  first."  Another  said,  "We  hap 
pened  to  come  home  to  a  neighborhood  where  those  who 
had  neither  gone  into  the  service  nor  asked  anyone  else 
to  go,  cast  sullen  looks  on  us,  and  would  not  give  employ 
ment  unless  we  would  identify  ourselves  with  their  political 
party,  so  we  struck  out  for  Kansas."  Another,  "Yes,  I'm 
in  Kansas,  and  the  people  have  been  mighty  good  to  me, 
for  they  have  given  me  one  of  the  best  offices  in  the  county, 
so  I  have  all  the  money  I  want."  Another,  "About  a  quar 
ter  of  the  men  who  went  from,  or  rather  came  back  to  our 
county,  stuck  to  their  old  homes  and  are  making  a  living, 
and  at  least  are  happy  here."  Then  with  a  queer  kind  of 
a  smile  he  added,  "One  of  our  number  has  been  quite  for 
tunate.  He  was  sent  forward  as  a  recruit  while  we  were 
at  Nashville.  He  never  performed  a  day's  work  while  with 
the  regiment,  but  went  into  the  hospital  immediately,  hav 
ing  contracted  a  loathsome  disease  while  not  in  the  line  of 
duty,  and  was  discharged  for  disability.  After  the  war 
he  applied  for  and  drew  a  pension.  On  further  investiga 
tion  his  name  was  dropped  from  the  pension  rolls  by  the 


AGAIN   ON   THE  MARCH  287 

Department.  During  a  presidential  campaign,  when  pro 
cessions  were  formed  and  veterans  were  marching,  he 
became  active  in  securing  old  soldiers  for  the  column  that 
needed  them  most;  so  a  United  States  Senator  from 
Indiana  introduced  a  special  bill,  giving  him  for  the  balance 
of  his  days,  seventy-two  dollars  a  month,  while  some  of  his 
needy  comrades,  who  had  served  to  the  close  of  the  war, 
went  pensionless." 

It  was  a  couple  of  hours  after  dark  on  Saturday  when 
we  arrived  at  the  Capital,  and  many  of  the  men  scattered 
through  the  city  to  see  what  changes  had  been  made  since 
they  took  part  in  the  grand  review  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

Monday  at  half-past  ten  the  battalion  marched  to  the 
White  House,  and  the  four  companies,  into  which  it  was 
divided,  were  assigned  to  escort  duty,  two  moving  in  front 
and  two  in  rear  of  the  presidential  party.  Although  the 
rain  fell  continuously,  yet  Pennsylvania  avenue  was  lined 
with  cheering  spectators.  At  the  east  portico*  of  the  Cap 
itol,  the  escort  halted  so  as  to  see  the  inauguration  cere 
monies,  while  the  troops  belonging  to  the  regular  army 
moved  on.  The  crowd  was  immense,  and  the  crush  was 
almost  unendurable,  so  that  every  one  was  glad  when  the 
exercises  were  over  and  the  grand  parade  began,  on  the 
return  to  the  President's  mansion.  Here  the  escort  entered 
the  Government  grounds,  and  those  who  were  not  too 
uncomfortable  from  the  six  hours'  tramp  through  the  rain, 
ascended  the  reviewing  stand  and  watched  the  passing 
thousands. 

The  following  afternoon  the  regiment,  preceded  by  the 
Topeka  band,  marched  through  the  city  and  was  cordially 
greeted  in  their  new  home  by  the  President  and  his  family. 


288  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

In  that  delightful  hour  many  a  poor  fellow  felt  that  he 
was  already  in  Paradise,  as  he  wandered  with  freedom 
through  elegant  chambers  and  fragrant  conservatories  of 
tropical  plants. 

All  Washington  had  a  new  sensation  when  it  was  seen 
that  exalted  station  only  increased  the  affectionate  care 
of  our  old  leader  for  his  old  command.  Before  we  separ 
ated  the  President  stood  on  the  steps  of  the  Executive 
Mansion  in  the  midst  of  his  men,  while  two  photographers 
exercised  their  skill  in  picture  making.  The  fact  is  the 
photographers  were  so  persistent  in  following  us  around 
and  taking  our  likenesses  that  it  has  been  hard  for  some 
of  us  grizzly  old  veterans  to  keep  from  imagining  our 
selves  just  a  little  better  looking  than  ordinary  mortals. 

The  next  move  was  to  the  Treasury,  where  we  were 
received,  at  his  request,  by  General  Rosecrans,  our  army 
commander  in  1862.  He  must  have  remembered  his  ex 
perience  with  us  in  cornfields  and  turnip  patches,  for  he 
failed  to  show  us  the  "surplus"  about  which  there  had 
been  so  much  talk.  Had  he  done  so,  we  certainly  would 
have  solved  the  problem  of  its  reduction. 

After  visiting  the  Art  Gallery,  Museum,  Smithsonian 
Institute,  Capitol,  Washington's  Monument  and  many 
other  public  buildings,  the  Wednesday  morning  ten  o'clock 
train  bore  us  homeward.  The  singing  of  John  Brown*  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  the  snow  storm  as  we  swept  through  the 
mountains,  the  rushing  streams,  swollen  into  torrents  by 
the  rains,  the  fun  and  frolic  of  the  gray-haired,  wrinkled- 
faced  comrades  who  were  boys  again  after  a  quarter  of  a 
century's  separation,  have  become  a  delightful  life-long 
possession  of  the  memory.  A  six  days'  reunion,  all  the 


AGAIN   ON   THE   MARCH  289 

participants  from  the  same  regiment,  whose  homes  are  in 
almost  all  the  States  from  Massachusetts  to  California,  was 
an  event  never  witnessed  before,  the  exquisite  pleasure  of 
which  cannot  be  described  and  will  never  be  forgotten. 

The  wondrous  satisfaction  beaming  on  every  counte 
nance  as  the  men  strolled  about  the  National  Capital, 
noticing  the  marvelous  changes  made  by  the  years,  sprang 
from  the  consciousness  that  they  had  had  a  part  in  saving 
this  beautiful  city  from  destruction,  and,  better  still,  in 
rescuing  the  Nation  from  the  ruin  toward  which  it  was 
rushing.  The  joy  of  the  reunion  was  strangely  solemn. 
Gladness  and  sadness,  laughter  and  grief  were  intermingled. 
As  story  after  story  was  told,  manifesting  self-denial  or 
heroism,  came  the  inquiry,  "Where  is  he  now?"  and  the 
oft  recurring  response,  "Gone."  He  who  belongs  to  a 
Last  Man  Society,  the  members  of  which  have  helped  to 
make  history,  cannot  escape  profound  emotions,  and  ought 
to  move  with  unaffected  dignity.  His  thoughts  deal  not 
alone  with  the  far-away  past,  but  also  with  the  far-away 
future. 

In  concluding  this  narrative  a  selection  from  sentiments 
adopted  at  the  reunion  is  appropriate. 

The  cause  of  liberty  and  union  for  which  we  fought,  as 
the  cause  of  God  and  man,  can  never  be  a  lost  cause. 

Between  right  and  wrong,  and  between  the  results  of 
right  and  wrong,  is  a  gulf  wide  and  deep,  and  impassable 
as  the  gulf  that  parts  Heaven  and  Hell. 

The  bond  uniting  comrades  in  camp  and  field  was  not 
broken  when  the  volunteer  was  discharged,  but  is  and  will 
ever  be  an  indissoluble  tie  of  sacred  friendship. 


2QO  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

The  dead  are  not  forgotten,  silent  they  lie,  but  their 
voiceless  lips  are  eloquent  for  right,  and  their  orphans 
should  be  the  beloved  and  honored  children  of  the  Re 
public. 

Under  the  inspiration  of  this  reunion,  and  of  the  tender 
memories  of  fellow-soldiers,  who  in  their  death  gave  the 
full  measure  of  patriotic  devotion,  we  consecrate  ourselves 
anew  to  the  service  of  our  country  and  of  humanity. 


THE      FLAGS      OF      THE      SEVENTIETH       INDIANA 


FROM  A  PHOTOGRAPH  TAKEN  JUST  AFTER  THE 
CAPTURE  OF  SAVANNAH 


THE   REGIMENTAL   ROSTER. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

BENJAMIN  HARRISON. 

Colonel.    Indianapolis.    Date  of  commission,  Aug.  7,  1862 ; 

date  of  muster,  Aug.  7,  1862 ;  brevetted  Brigadier  General 

Jan.  23,  1865  ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 
JAMES  BURGESS. 

Lieutenant-Colonel.    Danville.    Date  of  commission,  Aug. 

9,  1862 ;  date  of  muster,  Aug.  12,  1862 ;  promoted  Colonel 

1 24th  Regiment. 
SAMUEL  MERRILL. 

Lieutenant-Colonel.     Indianapolis.      Date   of   commission, 

March  i,  1864;  date  of  muster,  April  20,  1864;  mustered 

out  with  regiment. 
SAMUEL  C.  VANCE. 

Major.    Indianapolis.    Date  of  commission,  Aug.  9,  1862 ; 

date  of  muster,  Aug.  12,  1862;  resigned  April  10,  1863; 

re-entered  service  as  Colonel  I32d  Regiment. 
SAMUEL  MERRILL. 

Major.    Indianapolis.    Date  of  commission,  April  n,  1863; 

date  of  muster,  April    25,    1863;    promoted    Lieutenant- 
Colonel. 
ZACHARIAH  S.  RAGAN. 

Major.    Clayton.    Date  of  commission,  March  i,  1864;  date 

of  muster,  April  20,  1864;  wounded  at  Newhope  Church 

June  15,  1864;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 
JAMES  L.  MITCHELL. 

Adjutant.     Indianapolis.     Date   of  commission,  July   16, 

1862;  date  of  muster,  July  16,  1862;  mustered  out  with 

regiment. 
GEORGE  W.  ALLISON. 

Quartermaster.     Franklin.     Date  of  commission,  July  18, 

291 


THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

1862;  date  of  muster,  July  18,  1862;  resigned  Jan.  8,  1865. 
JOHN  L.  KETCHAM,  JR. 

Quartermaster.     Indianapolis.     Date  of  commission,  Feb. 
14,  1865 ;  date  of  muster,  March  27,  1865  J  mustered  out 
with  regiment. 
ARCHIBALD  C.  ALLEN. 

Chaplain.     Indianapolis.     Date  of  commission,  Aug.   12, 

1862;  date  of  muster,  Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  with 

regiment. 
AMOS  W.  REAGAN. 

Surgeon.     Mooresville.     Date  of  commission,    Aug.    n, 

1862;  date  of  muster,  Aug.  n,  1862;  mustered  out  with 

regiment. 
AMOS  W.  REAGAN. 

Assistant  Surgeon.     Mooresville.      Date    of    commission, 

July  30,  1862 ;  promoted  Surgeon. 
WILLIAM  A.  WEBB. 

Assistant  Surgeon.    Franklin.     Date  of  commission,  Aug. 

n,  1862;  date  of  muster,  Aug.  12,  1862;  resigned  March 

n,  1863. 
WILLIAM  R.  SMITH. 

Assistant  Surgeon.     Indianapolis.      Date    of   commission, 

Aug.  12,  1862;  date  of  muster,  Aug.  12,  1862;  resigned 

Nov.  8,  1862. 
JOHN  M.  WHITE. 

Assistant  Surgeon.    Southport.    Date  of  commission,  Dec. 

6,  1862;  date  of  muster,  Dec.  16,  1862;  died  Aug.  31,  1863, 

of  disease. 
LEROY  H.  KENNEDY. 

Assistant  Surgeon.     Danville.    Date  of  commission,  April 

4,  1863 ;  date  of  muster,  April  18,  1863 ;  resigned  Sept.  4, 

1863 ;  cause,  disability. 
JENKINS  A.  FITZGERALD. 

Assistant  Surgeon.     Indianapolis.      Date    of   commission, 

Oct.  17,  1863 ;  date  of  muster,  Oct.  22,  1863 ;  mustered  out 

with  regiment. 
HERMAN  J.  WATJEN. 

Assistant  Surgeon.     Indianapolis.      Date    of   commission, 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  293 

Jan.  i,  1865;  mustered  out  as  Hospital  Steward  with 
regiment. 

REGIMENTAL  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

PHILIP  D.  MUSGRAVE. 

Sergeant  Major.  Indianapolis.  Date  of  muster,  Aug.  12, 
1862 ;  transferred  to  Company  A  Aug.  20,  1862. 

WILLIAM  A.  MARRS. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant.  Martinsville.  .  Date  of  muster, 
Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 

REUBEN  D.  ISAACS. 

Commissary  Sergeant.  Indianapolis.  Date  of  muster,  Aug. 
12,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  15,  1863;  disability. 

HERMAN  J.  WATJEN. 

Hospital  Steward.  Indianapolis.  Date  of  muster,  Aug.  12, 
1862;  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  Jan.  i,  1865;  mus 
tered  out  with  regiment. 

ISAIAH  LONG. 

Principal  Musician.  Mooresville.  Date  of  muster,  Aug. 
12,  1862 ;  transferred  to  Company  D  Jan.  i,  1863. 

JULES  A.  VIQUESNEY. 

Principal  Musician.  Danville.  Date  of  muster,  Aug.  12, 
1862;  transferred  to  Company  C  May  i,  1864. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANIES,* 


COMPANY  A. 

BENJAMIN  HARRISON. 

Captain,  commissioned  July  22,  1862 ;  promoted  Colonel. 
HENRY  M.  SCOTT. 

First  Lieutenant,  commissioned  July   22,    1862;    Captain, 

commissioned  Aug.  9,   1862;  brevetted  Major  March  31, 

1865 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 

*  The  Author  claims  neither  credit  nor  responsibility  for  the 
accuracy  of  the  appended  roster. 

In  order  to  have  the  list  of  names  and  statements  as  correct  as 
possible,  each  roll  has  been  prepared  by  a  member  of  the  company. 


294  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

MARTIN  L.  OHR. 

First  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Aug.  9,  1862 ;  mustered  out 

Nov.  4,  1864. 
BETHUEL  CLARK. 

First  Lieutenant,  commissioned  March  29,  1864;  July  I, 

1864;  from  27th  Regiment;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 
JAMES  A.  WALLACE. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  July  22,     1862;    Aug. 

10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  March  22,  1864 ;  promoted  Quarter 
master  loth  Cavalry. 
JOHN  W.  KILGOUER. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Jan.    17,    1865 ;    Feb. 

10,  1865 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment. 
JOHN  W.  KILGOUER. 

First  Sergeant  July  15,  1862;  Second  Lieutenant  Jan.  17, 

1865;  Feb.  10,  1865,  mustered  out  with  regiment. 
JOHN  JUDGE. 

Sergeant  July  16,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  First 

Sergeant. 

GEORGE  M.  MCKNIGHT. 

Sergeant  July  17,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  6,  1864;  disability. 

ANDREW  A.  BUCHANAN. 

Sergeant  July  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

ALONZO  P.  BABBITT. 

Sergeant  July  22,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

WILLIAM  R.  SMITH. 

Corporal  July  14,  1862 ;  promoted  Assistant  Surgeon  Aug. 
12,  1862. 

ROBERT  A.  TAYLOR. 

Corporal  July   18,   1862 ;  discharged  May  20,   1863 ;  dis 
ability. 

GEORGE  W.  LUCKY. 

Corporal  July  15,  1862  ;  discharged  Nov.  9,  1862 ;  disability. 

HERMAN  F.  ROPKEY. 

Jorporal  July  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Ser 
geant. 

GEORGE  W.  CLARK. 

Corporal  July  17,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  295 

HENRY  WESLING. 

Corporal  July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Ser 
geant. 
GEORGE  W.  COOK. 

Corporal  July  19,  1862 ;  discharged  April  10,  1865 ;  wounds. 
SIMON  SNYDER. 

Corporal  July  14,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  H.  LAUBACK. 

Musician  July  16,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca  May  15,  1864. 
HERMAN  J.  WATJEN. 

Musician  Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  t 

pital  Steward. 
JACKSON  SUMMERS. 

Wagoner  Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

ELIJAH  P.  ACKER. 

Aug.  4, 1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8, 1865. 
ISAAC  BAKER. 

July  17,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  BAKER. 

July  17,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ANTON  BEUKA. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  W.  BURRIS. 

July  19,  1862 ;  discharged  Dec.  6,  1864;  wounds. 
DANIEL  F.  BURNS. 

July  22,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 

JOHN  L.  BROWN. 

July  21,  1862 ;  discharged  March  3,  1865 ;  wounds. 
JEROME  A.  BABBITT. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
ISAAC  J.  BALES. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1805. 
HENRY  CRUSE. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


296  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

FRANCIS  CECIL. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  i86q 
CLARK  CONVERSE. 

July  14,  1862;  died  Aug.  18,  1864;  wounds 
LEMUEL  L.  CARTER. 

July  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal 
WILLIAM  W.  CAIN. 

July  17,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  CUSTER. 

July  18,  1862;  died  at  Vining's  Station,  Ga.,  Aug.  16,  1864. 
ALFRED  CHANDLER. 

July  21,  1862 ;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps  Tuly  ^i   1864 
JOSIAH  S.  CLARK. 

July  21,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  20,  1863;  disability 
EDWARD  COX. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ALLEN  CAYLOR. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  27,  1863;  disability 
ANDREW  DUNWAY. 

July  17,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
PERRY  A.  DEMANGET. 

July  19,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
WILLIAM  DOUGLASS. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  May  10,  1865. 
JOHN  ENGLAND. 

July  19,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  20,  1863;  disability. 
EDMOND  P.  ERVIN. 

July  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILKERSON  FARLEY. 

July  25,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  13,  1862;  disability. 
JAMES  FURGIS. 

July  15,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  20,  1865;  wounds. 
NATHANIEL  FOLLETT. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
RODNEY  R.  GIBBONS. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  6,  1864;  wounds. 
SAMUEL  B.  GARDNER. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  297 

FRANK  HALL. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOSEPH  F.  HARBERT. 

July  17,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  May  17,  1864. 
JOHN  W.  HACKLEMAN. 

July  19,  1862 ;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps  July  31,  1864. 
NOBLE  HUNTINGTON. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant 
JOHN  HARRISON. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  HOBBS. 

July  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HOWARD  HUDNUT. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  killed  at  Russellville,  Ky.,  Sept.  30,  1862. 
OLIVER  L.  JONES. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  R.  JENKINS. 

July  15,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
DALA  D.  KRATZER. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  deserted  Aug.  10,  1862. 
PHILIP  A.  LORRY. 

July  22,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  LAW. 

July  17,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ALEXANDER  MOORE. 

July  22,  1862 ;  died  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  June  5,  1864;  wounds. 
MOSES  MUSGRAVE. 

July  21,  1862;  discharged  April  23,  1863;  disability. 
PHILIP  D.  MUSGRAVE. 

July  15,  1862;  promoted  Surgeon  U.  S.  Colored  Troops 

Oct.  30,  1863. 
HENRY  MAY. 

July  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
OLIVER  MARSHALL. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  discharged  April  7,  1863 ;  disability. 
WILLIAM  MUSTON. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


2Q8  THE  SEVENTIETH  INDIANA 

WILLIAM  MCELROY. 

July  21,  1862 ;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Jan.  10,  1865. 
JOSEPH  F.  McFARLAND. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOSEPH  S.  McCLAREND. 

July  23,  1862;  deserted  Oct.  7,  1862. 
SAMUEL  L.  NULL. 

July  18,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
LEBBENS  T.  NOSSAMAN. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  W.  ORR. 

July  15,  1862;  promoted  Lieutenant  U.  S.  Colored  Troops 

March  2,  1864. 
ANDREW  A.  PECK. 

July  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SANDFORD  PEDIGO. 

July  17,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
FRANCIS  PURSEL. 

July  21,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  June  25,  1864; 

wounds. 
CHARLES  PURSEL. 

July  19,  1862 ;  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  30,  1864. 
WILLIAM  PURCELL. 

July  21,  1862;  discharged  Nov.  8,  1862;  disability. 
ROBERT  H.  PATTERSON. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  discharged  March  13,  1863 ;  disability. 
THOMAS  P.  RICHARDSON. 

July  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
FREDERICK  RODEBECK. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
DUDLEY  ROBERTS. 

July  21,  1862 ;  discharged  May  29,  1863  ;  disability. 
NATHANIEL  T.  ROYER. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  H.  SMITH. 

July  21,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Dec.  26,  1862. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  299 

JOHN  H.  SKIVER. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,    as    Sergeant 

Major. 
JAMES  SHANK. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Sept.  4,  1862. 
WILLIAM  H.  H.  SHANK. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
JONATHAN  P.  SUNDERLAND. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
DANIEL  SPIEGEL. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  P.  THOMAS. 

July  19,  1862 ;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  April  23,  1863. 
GARDNER  P.  THORNTON. 

July  21,  1862;  promoted  Lieutenant  U.  S.  Colored  Troops 

Dec.  31,  1863. 
ALEXANDER  THUER. 

July  21,  1862 ;  discharged  June  22,  1864. 
GEORGE  W.  WELLS. 

July  15,  1862 ;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  March  2,  1863. 
JOHN  WILLIAMS. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  WIESE. 

July  19, 1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  NELSON  WILSON. 

July  19,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
ELBRIDGE  C.  WATSON. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  C.  WALLACE. 

July  21,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  30,  1864,  by  order  War 

Department;  promoted  Sergeant  Major. 
WILLIAM  J.  WHEATLEY. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  30,  1862;  disability. 
WESLEY  WILLIAMSON. 

July  21,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ASA  WILLIAMSON. 

July  22,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


300  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

SIMEON  T.  YANCEY. 

July  22,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

RECRUITS. 

ROBERT  BARNHILL. 

March  8,  1862 ;  mustered  out  April  6,  1865. 
ISAAC  BROWN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  J.  BLUE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ELISHA  BAILEY. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  BAKER. 

Dec.  15,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  BYERLY. 

Jan.  6,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  S.  BROWN. 

March  15,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ANDREW  J.  CHASE. 

Dec.  12,  1863;  discharged  Oct.  21,  1864;  disability. 
JOHN  H.  CAYWOOD. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ROBERT  W.  COFFEE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  T.  COFFEE. 

March  27,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
MARSHALL  GARDNER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
EMERY  HOWELL. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
NOAH  P.  HILLMAN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
PETER  D.  JACOBS. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  J.  LANE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  301 

DANIEL  M.  LARIMORE. 

March  31,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  PATE. 

March  5,  1862;  mustered  out  April  6,  1865. 
GEORGE  PROSSER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
AZRA  M.  ROBERTS. 

Jan.  4,  1864;  discharged  March  18,  1865;  wounds. 
ZACHARIAH  RUDE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
MELVIN  SANDBURN. 

March  19,  1862  ;  mustered  out  April  6,  1865. 
ADAM  SNAPP. 

April  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  April  6,  1865. 
JOHN  M.  STEWARD. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
SIMON  A.  STRODER. 

Jan.  6,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  H.  THOMPSON. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  WOODS. 

March  15,  1862;  mustered  out  April  6,  1865. 
WILLIAM  WEAKLEY. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ANDREW  J.  WEAKLEY. 

March  27,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 

COMPANY  B. 

THOMAS  A.  McFARLAND. 

Captain  Aug.  i,  1862;  resigned  Aug.  31,  1862. 
DAVID  F.  SLEETH. 

First  Lieutenant  Aug.    i,   1862;  Captain  Sept.   I,   1862; 

resigned  1864. 
EDWARD  L.  DAVIDSON. 

Second  Lieutenant  July  15,  1862;  First  Lieutenant  Sept.  i, 

1862 ;  resigned  Jan.  3,  1863. 


302  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JOHN  C.  NEWTON. 

First  Sergeant  July  19,  1862;  Second  Lieutenant  Sept.  i, 
1862;  First  Lieutenant  Jan.  4,  1863;  Captain  1864;  mus 
tered  out  June  8,  1865. 

SAMUEL  B.  ROBERTSON. 

Sergeant  July  15,  1862;  First  Sergeant  Sept.  i,  1862;  Sec 
ond  Lieutenant  Jan.  4,  1863 ;  resigned  August,  1864. 

WELTON  M.  WHITCOMB. 

Sergeant  Aug.  i,  1862;  Second  Sergeant  Sept.  i,  1862; 
First  Sergeant  Feb.  28,  1863 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

JOHN  S.  MOORE. 

Sergeant  Aug.  I,  1862;  Commissary  Sergeant  Feb.  13, 
1863 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

JAMES  C.  BENNETT. 

Sergeant  July  23,  1862;  Third  Sergeant  Feb.  21,  1863; 
First  Sergeant  Sept.  i,  1864;  Second  Lieutenant  Jan.  17, 
1865 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

RICHARD  H.  THRALLS. 

Corporal  July  16,  1862;  Fifth  Sergeant  Sept.  i,  1862;  mus 
tered  out  June  8,  1865. 

HEZEKIAH  MITCHELL. 

Corporal  July  16,  1862 ;  discharged  April  6,  1863 ;  disability. 

ELIJAH  A.  POWELL. 

Corporal  July  17,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  May 
24,  1864. 

ELIAS  P.  SMITH. 

Corporal  July  17,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

JAMES  A.  STAFFORD. 

Corporal  July  17,  1862;  Sergeant  Feb.  21,  1863;  First  Ser 
geant  1864;  Second  Lieutenant  1864;  First  Lieutenant 
1865 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

JAMES  T.  SPENCER. 

Corporal  July  17,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as 
Private. 

AMOS  T.  PHARES. 

Corporal  July  26,  1862 ;  discharged  Jan.  16,  1864;  disability. 

ACHILLES  RODGERS. 

Corporal  July  24,  1862;  died  July,  1864;  wounds. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  303 

WILLIAM  H.  DEEM. 

Musician  July  20,  1862;  reduced  to  ranks  Aug.  26,  1862; 
deserted  Jan.  21,  1863. 

DAVID  L.  DELOE. 

Musician  July  20,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

JAMES  R.  SMITH. 

Wagoner  July  17,  1862;  discharged  Nov.  29,  1862;  dis 
ability. 

PRIVATES. 

GEORGE  W.  ADAMS. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Sept.  30,  1863. 
CHARLES  E.  ADAMS. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  H.  ADAMS. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  died  at  Lavergne,  Tenn.,  June  20,  1863. 
THOMAS  ANDERSON. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
TERRELL  ANDERSON. 

July  17,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ROBERT  ANGLETON. 

July  17,  1862;  Corporal  Sept.  i,  1862;  mustered  out  June 

8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
HENRY  AYDELOTT. 

July  22,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOSEPH  W.  AYDELOTT. 

July  22,  1862 ;  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  Nov.  27,  1862. 
ABRAHAM  BELLER. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  deserted  Oct.  2,  1862. 
WILLIAM  BAKER. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOSEPH  F.  COWDEN. 

July  17,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
EPHRAIM  COLLINS. 

July  17,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  T.  COLLINS. 

July  17,  1862;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  April  6,  1864. 


304  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JAMES  L.  COLLINS. 

July  18,  1862 ;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps  Aug.  15,  1864. 
FRANKLIN  COLLINS. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
WILLIAM  CONNER. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  discharged  Jan.  27,  1863 ;  disability. 
HUMPHREY  EOFF. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C. 
GEORGE  W.  EVANS. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  FARLEY. 

July  18,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  H.  GUISE. 

July  29,  1862 ;  killed  by  accident  July  26,  1864,  Atlanta,  Ga. 
ZACHEUS  GORDON. 

July  16,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  27,  1862. 
JOHN  W.  GIBBONS. 

July  29,  1862 ;  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  Dec.  2,  1862. 
DAVID  P.  GILL. 

Aug.  i,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
SIMPSON  GOSSETT. 

July  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THORNHILL  H.  GWYNNE. 

Aug.  2,  1862;  discharged  July  29,  1863;  disability. 
LINDSEY  GERMAN. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
NATHAN  HALL. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  21,  1863;  disability. 
JAMES  HALL. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  W.  HULSOPPLE. 

July  19,  1862;  discharged  March  21,  1863;  disability. 
ALEXANDER  S.  HAWKINS. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
JOEL  H.  KEELING. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  C.  LINDVILLE. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  305 

CHARLES  M.  LAZAR. 

July  16,  1862 ;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  19,  1863. 
LEROY  LEGGETT. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  mustered  out  June  8, 
1865,  as  Sergeant. 
JOHN  W.  MILLER. 

July  16,  1862;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  7,  1863. 
WILLIAM  A.  MILLER. 

Aug.  i,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  S.  MILLER. 

July  24,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  B.  MILLER. 

July  24,  1862;  died  at  home  Aug.  n,  1862. 
ROBERT  H.  MILLER. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  July  22,  1864; 

wounds. 
WILLIAM  S.  MITCHELL. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
DODRIDGE  MITCHELL. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SYLVESTER  McGINITY. 

July  16,  1862;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps  Aug.  24,  1864. 
ABRAHAM  McMULLEN. 

July  24,  1862;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  22,  1863. 
THOMAS  McCONNELL. 

July  25,  1862;  Corporal  Sept.  i,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  26, 

1863 ;  disability. 
JAMES  H.  McFALL. 

July  28,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  7,  1862. 
CHARLES  L.  MARIETTA. 

July  1 6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  MORGAN. 

July  17,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  13,  1862;  disability. 
JOHN  R.  MAHOLM. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  15,  1863. 
GEORGE  H.  MAHOLM. 

Aug.  9,  1862 ;  killed  on  railroad  Nov.  6,  1864. 


306  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

NOAH  O.  MOORE. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  H.  NEWTON. 

July  17,  1862;  died  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,    Aug.    12,    1864; 

wounds. 
WILLIAM  C.  PHARES. 

July  26,  1862 ;  Musician  Aug.  26,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June 

8,  1865. 
GEORGE  A.  PRICE. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Aug.  29,  1864; 

wounds. 
HENRY  C.  PHILLIPS. 

Aug.  12,  1862;  discharged  May  6,  1863;  disability. 
JOSEPH  A.  REED. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
DAVID  S.  RIGDON. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  RAPP. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  SMITH. 

July  24,  1862 ;  deserted  Dec.  2,  1863. 
ELIJAH  S.  SMITH. 

July  26,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CARRY  H.  SMITH. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  Corporal  Feb.  21,  1863;  mustered  out  June 

8,  1865. 
DANIEL  STEWART. 

July  31,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  STORY. 

July  20,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Oct.  30,  1863. 
ANDREW  I.  STORY. 

July  20,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  S.  SCOFIELD. 

July  24,  1862 ;  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  Dec.  17,  1862. 
WILLIAM  H.  STRADER. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps  Aug.  15,  1864. 
TYRE  STAFFORD. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  307 

ARCHIBALD  SOSBY. 

July  26,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
MARSHALL  STODDARD. 

July  26,  1862 ;  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  Nov.  19,  1862. 
ADELMAN  SMITH. 

July  19,  1862 ;  died  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Aug.  7,  1862. 
ROBERT  TONER. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  March  17,  1863. 
CORNELIUS  TUCKER. 

July  23,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
FERDINAND  TREON. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
VALISON  C.  THOMAS. 

Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  F.  THOMPSON. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JEREMIAH  WHEELER. 

July  19,  1862 ;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Dec.  23,  1862. 
JOHN  J.  WALTON. 

July  18,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Dec.  15,  1862. 
MAJOR  WOOD. 

July  25,  1862;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  21,  1863. 
WASHINGTON  WOLTON. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  WAGONER. 

July  20,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
AMOS  T.  WILLIS. 

July  20,  1862 ;  deserted  Nov.  7,  1862. 

RECRUITS. 

FRANCIS  M.  ANGLETON. 

Dec.  25,  1863;  died  May  28,  1864,  of  wound  received  at 

Resaca,  Ga. 
JAMES  AULTE. 

Dec.  23,  1863;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Jan.  2,  1865. 
SYLVESTER  ADAMS. 

Dec.  31,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 


308  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JOHN  F.  ALBRIGHT. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
AARON  ALLEN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  H.  BEESON. 

Jan.  25,  1864;  died  at  Cassville,  Ga.,  June,  1864;  wound. 
WILLIAM  A.  BARNES. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ABNER  D.  CROSS. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  discharged  Dec.  20,  1864. 
JAMES  CLARK. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  died  at  Lookout  Mountain  Feb.  2,  1865. 
CYRUS  CAYLER. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
HENSON  L.  CLARK. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
EDWARD  DILL. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
EDMOND  H.  DUNN. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  A.  DWYER. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ENOS  DAVISSON. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  DAVISSON. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  DINN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
PHILIP  P.  EMRICK. 

Dec.  31,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  H.  ELLETT. 

Mustered  out  April  6,  1865. 
CHARLES  W.  FRANK. 

Dec.  31,  1863;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864. 
ROBERT  T.  FOSTER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  First  Sergeant  Jan.  I,  1865;  transferred  to 

33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  309 

WILLIAM  FRY. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
LOUIS  GOODRICH. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.,  July  20, 

1864. 
WILLIAM  HENDRICKS. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  W.  HALL. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  D.  HINCHE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  R.  JOHNSON. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  LENOX. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  J.  LEE. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
MONTRAVILLE  MAHAN. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Jan.  10,  1865. 
DANIEL  MELOY. 

Dec.  31,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  McKINNEY. 

Dec.  31,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  W.  McGAFFACK. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
CHARLES  F.  PLYMATE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
SHELBY  PRICE. 

Dec.  31,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  PEAK. 

Dec.  23,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  POWELL. 

Dec.  23,  1863;  discharged  Oct.  5,  1864;  disability. 
FRANKLIN  RICHIE. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
GRANVILLE  RICHIE. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 


310  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

FREDERICK  W.  STAFFORD. 

Jan.  6,  1864;  transferred  to  336  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
NATHAN  STAFFORD. 

Dec.  23,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
SHELBY  SEXSON. 

Dec.  31,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JESSE  STUBBS. 

Dec.  23,  1863 ;  died  at  JefTersonville,  Ind.,  Sept.  4,  1864. 
JOHN  B.  VANCLEFF. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  WORDAN. 

Dec.  31,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  YOUNG. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 

COMPANY  C. 
Z.  S.  RAGAN. 

Captain  Aug.  5,  1862 ;  promoted  to  Major. 
W.  C.  MITCHELL. 

First  Lieutenant  Aug.  5,  1862;  promoted  to  Captain. 
JEPTHA  BANTA. 

Second  Lieutenant  Aug.  5,  1862;  died  April  n,  1863. 
JAMES  M.  ROGERS. 

First  Sergeant  July  24,  1862 ;  promoted  to  tirst  Lieutenant. 
JAMES  I.  WILLS. 

Sergeant  July  19,  1862 ;  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant. 
FRANKLIN  J.  BURCHAM. 

Sergeant  July  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
FRANK  H.  HURON. 

Sergeant  July  22,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  First 

Sergeant  and  Color  Bearer. 
DAVID  N.  HOPWOOD. 

Sergeant  July  17,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
MICHAEL  J.  DUFFEY. 

Corporal  July  17,  1862;  killed  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  24, 

1864. 
JOHN  M.  COOK. 

Corporal  Aug.  4,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  311 

FRANK  C.  FERGUSON. 

Corporal  July  14,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
BENJAMIN  F.  BOLEN. 

Corporal  July  17,  1862;  discharged  Nov.    12,    1864,    on 

account  of  wounds  received  at  Resaca,  Ga. 
SAMUEL  R.  RICHARDSON. 

Corporal  July  26,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  M.  NEWBY. 

Corporal  July  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SYLVESTER  S.  WILLS. 

Corporal  July  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  D.  COMPTON. 

Corporal  July  16,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

JAMES  ADAMS. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ALEXANDER  ARCHER. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  discharged  Oct.  8,  1863 ;  disability. 
JOHN  F.  ASHER. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Jan.  10,  1865. 
JESSE  C.  BARKER. 

Aug.  I,  1862;  discharged  March  22,  1863;  disability. 
CHARLES  H.  BEDFORD. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ADAM  BLUNK. 

July  14,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  20,  1863;  disability. 
GEORGE  BREWER. 

July  30,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8, 1865. 
MILES  BRAY. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  discharged  Jan.  28,  1863 ;  disability. 
LOT  T.  BRAY. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JACOB  J.  BRINGLE. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
MARTIN  L.  BROWN. 

July  21,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  April  11,  1863. 


312  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

SMITH  G.  BURCHAM. 

July  28,  1862;  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  Nov.  ig,  1862 
JAMES  BUCHANAN. 

July  25,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  8,  1862;  disability. 
ALFRED  W.  CARTER. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal 
JESSE  B.  CARTER. 

Aug.  5,  1862;  died  at  Saundersville,  Term.,  Feb.  6   1863 
SAMUEL  W.  CAREY. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  3,  1862;  disability. 
MOSES  L.  CRAWFORD. 

July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Headquarter 
Teamster. 
HENRY  H.  CRAWFORD. 

July  24,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CLARKSON  DOAN. 

Aug.  7,   1862;  discharged  Jan.  27,   1863,  on  account  of 
wounds. 
RISDON  C.  DINWIDDIE. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  DUNCAN. 

Aug.  8,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  9,  1862;  disability. 
HEZEKIAH  DUFFEY. 

Aug.  io,  1862;  discharged  March  17,  1863;  disability. 
ROBERT  G.  ELLIS. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  April  30,  1864. 
WILLIAM  FAULKNER. 

July  25,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  4,  1862;  disability. 
REUBEN  C.  FRANKLIN. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
LEWIS  C.  FRANKLIN. 

July  25,  1862 ;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Feb.  24,  1863. 
ALFRED  R.  GLOVER. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  P.  GUYNN. 

July  14,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
RICHARD  F.  HARPER. 

Aug.  8,  1862;  discharged  Oct.  31,  1862;  disability. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  313 

LOT  HADLEY. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
TILGHMAN  S.  HARLIN. 

July  24,  1862 ;  died  July  23,  1864,  from  wounds  received  at 

Peach  Tree  Creek. 
THOMAS  HANNAH. 

July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  HAMMOND. 

July  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
SPENCER  HIATT. 

July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HUGH  HIGGINS. 

July  24,  1862;  deserted  Aug.  13,  1862. 
JOHN  D.  HOPKINS. 

Aug.  2,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  18,  1862. 
DANIEL  IRICK. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  July  20,  1864. 
WILLIAM  IRICK. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  discharged  April  15,  1863;  disability. 
REUBEN  R.  ISAACS. 

Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  15,  1863;  disability;  Com 
missary  Sergeant. 
WILLIAM  JACKSON. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  Nov.  24,  1862. 
HARDIN  JACKSON. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SILAS  KENDALL. 

Aug.  8,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  22,  1863;  disability. 
HENRY  KERSCH. 

July  28,  1862 ;  killed  near  Golgotha,  Ga.,  June  16,  1864. 
THOMAS  B.  KINNAN. 

Aug.  8,  1862 ;  discharged  Jan.  29,  1863 ;  disability. 
JOHN  W.  KNIGHTON. 

July  22,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
JOSHUA  LEACH. 

Aug.  12,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


314  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JOB  LEDBETTER. 

July  18,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
PETER  O.  LOOKEBILL. 

July  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  R.  MARTIN. 

July  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  H.  MARTIN. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  H.  MATTHEWS. 

July  22,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  N.  MATTHEWS. 

July  22,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  27,  1863;  disability. 
JOHN  W.  MEDSKER. 

July  28,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 
GEORGE  W.  MILLER. 

July  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ROBERT  F.  NEWBY. 

July  25,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  14,  1862;  disability. 
WILLIAM  C.  NEWBY. 

Dec.  22,  1863;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  8,  1864. 
JAMES  H.  OSBORN. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
NICHOLAS  OSBORN. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
MONTERVILLE  PARSONS. 

July  18,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  PHIPPS. 

July  25,  1862 ;  discharged  July  29,  1863  ;  accidental  wounds. 
ALBERT  H.  PITTS. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Dec.  29,  1862. 
GEORGE  W.  POTTS. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  PRATT. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  PURKYPILE. 

Aug.  n,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  H.  REITZEL. 

July  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  315 

ADAM  REITZEL. 

July  28,  1862;  discharged  May  13,  1863;  wounds. 
JEREMIAH  RICHARDSON. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  discharged  Nov.  29,  1862 ;  disability. 
JOHN  A.  ROBERTS. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  S.  ROBERTS. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  22,  1863;  disability. 
ROBERT  E.  RAGAN. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  SHARPS. 

July  22,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
YOUNG  W.  SHORT. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  B.  SHORT. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
STEPHEN  SCOTT. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  H.  G.  SHACKLEFORD 

July  17,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ZIMRI  TANZY. 

July  28,  1862;  discharged  Oct.  31,  1862;  disability. 
JAMES  A.  THOMPSON. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  A.  TUMEY. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JULES  VIQUESNEY. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  WADDLE. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  M.  WILLS. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
NATHAN  C.  WILLIAMS. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  W.  WOOD. 

July  26,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


3*6  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

FREDERICK  ZOLLER. 

Aug.  3,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

VETERANS    OF    THE    2;TH    INDIANA,    AND    RE 
CRUITS. 

WILLIAM  ARFORD. 

July  15,  1862;  mustered  out  April  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  ANDERSON. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana. 
ENOCH  M.  BREWSTER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana. 
HARVEY  N.  CARROLL. 

July  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CHARLES  COMBS. 

March  12,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  M.  CRITCHLOW. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  A.  CALLAHAN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  COX. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
JONAS  DAVIS. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
JAS.  P.  P.  DENTON. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  discharged  Jan.  10,  1865;  disability. 
RUSSELL  DAVIS. 

July  15,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  DEARMAN. 

March  10,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
LEVI  F.  FAITH. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  N.  FLINN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  GHRAMM. 

July  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  W.  GORR. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  317 

JOHN  E.  HAYES. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  F.  HERENDEN. 

March  31,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865 
ANDREW  KELLER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
MICHAEL  M.  KELLER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
JOSEPH  D.  LAUGHLIN. 

Aug.  8,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HARRISON  LEE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  discharged  April  14,  1865;  disability. 
JOHN  MURRATTA. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
PETER  RAGLE. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
SANFORD  H.  SHIVELY. 

Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  10,  1865;  disability. 
ELIJAH  WILKINSON. 

Sept.  12,  1861;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
ANDREW  J.  WILLIAMS. 

Sept.  12,  1861;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  W.  WARNER. 

Sept.  12,  1861;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
DANIEL  B.  WATTS. 

March  26,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  J.  WALN. 

Sept.  12,  1861;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 

COMPANY   D. 

BARCLAY  R.  JOHNSON. 

Captain,  Aug.  2,  1862 ;  resigned  April  20,  1863. 
WM.  E.  TANSEY. 

First   Lieutenant ;     promoted    Captain    April    20,     1863 ; 

wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
SAMUEL  K.  HARRYMAN. 

Second  Lieutenant;  promoted  First  Lieutenant  April  20, 

1863. 


THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

WILLIAM  M'CRACKEN. 

Promoted  to  Sergeant;  Orderly  Sergeant;  Second  Lieu 
tenant  April  21,  1863. 
EZRA  OLLEMAN. 

First  Sergeant ;  discharged  Jan.  23,  1863. 
DANIEL  DEAL. 

First  Duty  Sergeant;  wounded  May  15,  1864,  at  Resaca. 
THOMAS  D.  HUBBARD. 

Sergeant;  wounded  June  15,  1864,  at  New  Hope  Church. 
CALVIN  JOHNSON. 

Sergeant;  died  March  9,  1863,  at  Gallatin,  Tenn. 
MOSES  B.  PIKE. 

Sergeant. 
JAMES  C.  HENDRICKS. 

Transferred  to  Drummer  Boy. 
BENJAMIN  F.  BALLARD. 

Corporal ;  died  March  13,  1863,  at  Gallatin,  Ga. 
CORNELUS  HILL. 

Corporal. 
JOHN  PIKE. 

Corporal. 
HENRY  C.  EATON. 

Corporal. 
JESSE  F.  SNOW. 

Corporal. 
MILTON  CARTER. 

Corporal ;  promoted  Sergeant ;  discharged  Jan.  20,  1864. 
JOHN  T.  HUBBARD. 

Corporal ;  promoted  Sergeant. 
ISAIAH  LONG. 

Musician. 
THOMAS  R.  HORNADAY. 

Musician ;  promoted  to  ranks  by  request. 
OTTO  RENCH. 

Teamster. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  319 

PRIVATES. 

JOHN  ADAMS. 

Discharged  November  6,  1863. 
NEWTON  ALLEN. 
ENOS  ALLEN. 
JAMES  M.  BROWN. 
JESSE  BREWER. 
SAMUEL  BALLENTINE. 

Died  June  22,  1864,  Nashville,  Tenn. 
DAVID  M.  BRAY. 
JACOB  M.  BRAY. 
JOHN  M.  CALLAHAN. 
WILLIAM  S.  CANNATSEY. 
NEVIOUS  B.  CHAMNESS. 

Wounded,  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
THOMAS  C.  CLAPP. 
GRANVIL  COSTIN. 
MATHIAS  A.  COSTIN. 

Promoted  to  Corporal ;  promoted  to  Sergeant. 
GEORGE  W.  CRAYTON. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga. 
HENRY  W.  COSTIN. 

Died  Feb.  22,  1863,  at  Gallatin,  Tenn. 
WILLIAM  H.  COSTIN. 
GEORGE  COPELAND. 
IRA  R.  CRAVEN. 

Promoted  Corporal. 
THOMAS  J.  DOAN. 

Discharged  Dec.  10,  1863. 
WILLIAM  P.  EASTER. 
JOSEPH  A.  EASTER. 

Wounded  May  15,  1864,  at  Resaca,  Ga. 
GEORGE  W.  EASTER. 

Discharged  Feb.  6,  1863. 
ELI  ELLMORE. 

Discharged  Dec.  6,  1863. 
WILLIAM  J.  EDWARDS. 


320  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JESSE  ELLMORE. 
DAVID  FANSLER. 
PETER  FARMER. 

Wounded  May  15,  1864,  at  Resaca,  and  discharged. 
JACOB  FARMER. 

Wounded  May  14,  1864,  at  Resaca;  died  June  9,  1864. 
DAVID  FUGATE. 

Wounded  May  15,  1864,  at  Resaca;  died  May  16,  1864. 
URIAH  H.  FARR. 
VARDAMAN  FLETCHER. 

Wounded  May  15,  1864,  at  Resaca. 
JOSEPH  GREGORY. 

Transferred  Pioneer  Corps. 
ALONZO  B.  GREESON. 

Wounded  May  15,  1864;  died  May  27,  1864. 
ALFRED  GREESON. 

Discharged  July  27,  1864. 
GEORGE  W.  HARPER. 
JOHN  V.  HO  WELL. 
ISAAC  A.  JOHNSON. 
JAMES  JULIAN. 

Discharged  May  6,  1863. 
ANDREW  JORDAN. 

Died  March  21,  1863. 
ROBERT  JOHNSON. 

Wounded  July  20,  1864;  discharged  1864. 
ISAAC  KERSEY. 

Discharged  Nov.  21,  1862. 
MATTHEW  KIRKENDOLL. 
WILLIAM  A.  LAKE. 
JOHN  E.  LAKE. 

Promoted  Corporal. 
WILLIAM  C.  LAKE. 
ALONZO  LEWALLEN. 

Discharged  March  3,  1863. 
DANIEL  LOCKWOOD. 

Died  June  24,  1864. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  321 

FRANCIS  M.  LEACH. 

Deserted  Nov.  9,  1862. 
JAMES  LANE. 
MARTIN  MASON. 
SYLVESTER  MOON. 

Discharged  June  24,  1863. 
MILO  H.  MOON. 

Promoted  Corporal. 
ELI  S.  MYRICK. 

Discharged  March  3,  1863. 
WILLIAM  R.  M'CLELLAN. 
JAMES  M'CRAKEN. 

Promoted  to  Corporal;  wounded  May  15,  1864. 
LEONIDAS  OBENSHAIN. 

Promoted  to  Corporal ;  promoted  to  Sergeant. 
WILLIAM  C.  RHEA. 
MERIDETH  RUSH. 

Discharged  Jan.  24,  1863. 
JOSEPH  W.  REAGAN. 
ABSALOM  ROSS. 
WILLIAM  J.  ROLAND. 
ELIAS  M.  RUSHTON. 
JAMES  SIMPSON. 
WILLIAM  A.  SPOON. 
JAMES  SPOON. 
JAMES  SMITH. 
GEORGE  W.  THORNTON. 
DANIEL  TANSEY. 

Discharged  Feb.  u,  1863. 
GEORGE  W.  THOMPSON. 
PETER  VOGUS. 
RUFUS  H.  WARD. 

Promoted  Corporal. 
JOHN  A.  WARD. 

Promoted  Corporal. 
WILLIAM  W.  WILHITE. 

Wounded  May  14,  1864,  at  Resaca. 


322  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

BARTON  WILSON. 

Discharged  Feb.  28,  1863. 
LEVI  WILLIAMS. 

Discharged  May  23,  1865. 
PETER  WHITE. 

Died  Jan.  21,  1863,  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky. 
CALVIN  WARD. 

Wounded  May  15,  1864;  died  May  23,  1864. 
JOHN  WILSON. 
JAMES  R.  WIDDOWS. 

Wounded  May  14,  1864. 

RECRUITS. 

GREGORY  ALLEN. 
JOHN  S.  ALBRIGHT. 
WILLIAM  E.  CRAVEN. 
LEANDER  DEWEESE. 
ELZA  DEWEESE. 
WILLIAM  T.  DONE. 
GEORGE  FREET. 
CLARK  GRAVE. 
ALVIN  S.  GRAVE. 

Wounded  May  15,  1864,  at  Resaca. 
OWEN  C.  HANCOCK. 
MILO  E.  HARVEY. 
THOMAS  N.  HINSON. 
SAMUEL  INGLE. 
LEVI  LANE. 
ELIAS  E.  LANE. 
JAMES  M'CALL. 
ELI  PRAY. 
JOHN  H.  POE. 

Died  of  wounds  Aug.  21,  1864. 
ISAAC  POE. 

Died  at  Kingston,  Ga. 
JOHN  D.  TINCHER. 
BARCLEY  E.  TANSEY. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  323 

ISAIAH  H.  TROGDEN. 
CLAYTON  TOWNSEND. 

COMPANY   E. 

WILLIAM  M.  MEREDITH. 

Captain,  commissioned  Aug.  6,  1862;  Aug.  6,  1862;  re 
signed  Aug.  12,  1864. 
PETER  FESLER. 

Captain,  commissioned  Feb.  13,  1864;  Sept.  i,  1864;  from 

27th  Regiment ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
CHARLES  H.  COX. 

Captain,  commissioned  Aug.  13,  1864;  not  mustered. 
HIRAM  H.  HAND. 

First  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Aug.  6,  1862 ;  Aug.  6,  1862 ; 

resigned  Nov.  9,  1862. 
COLUMBUS  V.  GRAY. 

First  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Nov.  10,  1862;  March  i, 

1863 ;  resigned  June  16,  1863. 
EDWARD  B.  COLESTOCK. 

First   Lieutenant,   commissioned  June   17,    1863;  July   I, 

1863 ;  died  May  30,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Resaca. 
CHARLES  H.  COX. 

First  Lieutenant,  commissioned  July  i,  1864;  Sept.  i,  1864; 

mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
COLUMBUS  V.  GRAY. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Aug.  6,  1862;  Aug.  6, 

1862 ;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant. 
EDWARD  B.  COLESTOCK. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Nov.  10,  1862;  Dec.  15, 

1862;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant. 
CHARLES  H.  COX. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  June  17,  1863;  July  i, 

1863;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant. 
ALLAN  F.  SCHLEY. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Aug.  13,  1864;  Feb.  10, 

1865 ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 


324  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

EDWARD  B.  COLESTOCK. 

First  Sergeant  July  15,  1862;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant. 
SAMUEL  LAING. 

Sergeant  July  16,   1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as 

private. 
WILLIAM  BODENHAMER. 

Sergeant  July  16,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  H.  GRIGGS. 

Sergeant  July  21,  1862;  died  at  Edgefield  Junction,  Tenn., 

Dec.  21,  1862. 
DANIEL  J.  MILLER. 

Sergeant  July  17,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  H.  COOPER. 

Corporal  July  22,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  W.  RANDALL. 

Corporal  July  15,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 
JAMES  ATKINS. 

Corporal  July  21,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 
FRANK  A.  MYERS. 

Corporal  July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  pri 
vate. 
ALLEN  F.  SCHLEY. 

Corporal  July  15,  1862;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant. 
JONATHAN  GRAY. 

Corporal  July  15,  1862;  discharged. 
FREDERICK  J.  MEIKEL. 

Corporal  July  18,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865  as  pri 
vate. 
ROBERT  F.  DAVIS. 

Corporal  July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CYRUS  O.  SACKETT. 

Musician  Aug.  6,   1862;  mustered  out  June  8,   1865,  as 

Prin.  Musician. 
THOMAS  D.  SMITH. 

Musician  July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  FITZGERALD. 

Wagoner  July  26,   1862;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps 

Aug.  10,  1864. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  325 

PRIVATES. 

GEORGE  K.  ALBRO. 

July  29,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
MELVILLE  C.  ALEXANDER. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ISAAC  AMOS. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
JERRY  BARKER. 

July  31,  1862;  discharged  March  26,  1864. 
CHARLES  BERG. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  died  June  30,  1864;  wounds. 
THOMAS  BEALE. 

July  15,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  July  5,  1864. 
JOHN  F.  BURNS. 

July  18,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CHARLES  C.  BUTLER. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JASPER  N.  BUTTERFIELD. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ANTHONY  BRADEMEYER. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CHRIS  C.  BRADEMEYER. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  W.  BUSCHER. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  discharged. 
WM.  D.  C.  BRICKETT. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca  May  15,  1864. 
JAS.  W.  BRUNGER. 

Aug.  7,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 
WINFIELD  S.  BAKER. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  H.  BEALER. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 
HENRY  CAYLOR. 

July  17,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CHARLES  L.  CARTER. 

Aug.  5,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


326  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JOHN  D.  CHARLES. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CHAS.  F.  W.  COOK. 

July  18,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  C.  CAMPBELL. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
JOEL  CONVERSE. 

July  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOS.  CLINTON. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
GEO.  W.  CAIN. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 
GEORGE  H.  CRAIG. 

Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
CHARLES  H.  COX. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant. 
JOHN  W.  DAVIES. 

July  24,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 
THOS.  R.  DAVIS. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  H.  DEMMY. 

July  23,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865 
JOHN  M.  DASHIEL. 

July  22,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CHARLES  W.  ETSLER. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 
JENKINS  A.  FITZGERALD. 

July  21,  1862;  promoted  Ass't  Surgeon. 
WILLIAM  FORSHA. 

Aug.  I,  1862;  discharged. 
DAVID  B.  FORSHA. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ALBERT  L.  FERGUSON. 

July  21,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  W.  GETTIER. 

July  18,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
GEORGE  GEISENDORFF. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  327 

DAVID  HAMILTON. 

July  27,  1862 ;  deserted  Feb.  6,  1863. 
JAMES  S.  HARDIN. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  HEITKAM. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
EDWARD  HIGDON. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  R.  HUSHAW. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  died  at  Lookout  Valley,  Tenn.,  March  31, 

1864. 
THOMAS  B.  HORNADAY. 

July  16,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CHARLES  W.  JENKINS. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
AUGUSTUS  J.  KINNAN. 

July  18,  1862 ;  discharged. 
JOHN  B.  KING. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  10,  1862. 
CHARLES  W.  KNIGHT. 

Aug.  5,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  W.  LAING. 

July  24,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  H.  LAW. 

July  30,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOS.  LANDORMIE. 

July  30,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  W.  LOUCKS. 

July  1 8,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  D.  LOWE. 

Aug.  4,  1862.    Discharged  March  19,  1863. 
WM.  M'CUBBIN. 

July  27,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  3,  1862. 
HARVEY  N.  M'GUIRE. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  E.  METTE. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


328  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ALVA  C.  MAY. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
THEOPHILUS  M'CLURE. 

July  16,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  MILLER. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  discharged. 
JOHN  W.  M'CONNELL. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
JOHN  L.  M'CONNELL. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
REMUS  OAKEY. 

Aug.  i,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
EDWARD  OAKEY. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  W.  PERKINS. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
PETER  QUACKENBUSH. 

July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HIRAM  R.  RHODES. 

July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  M.  RHODES. 

July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
EZRA  ROSS. 

July  28,  1862;  killed  June  15,  1864. 
WM.  H.  ROBINSON. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
SAMUEL  H.  STEPHENS. 

July  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  F.  SHOEMAKER. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps  July  18,  1864. 
GEORGE  SHOEMAKER. 

Aug.  5,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CHARLES  SCHOTT. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  SMITH. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  329 

JOS.  B.  SULGROVE. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOS.  H.  VANDERMAN. 

July  30,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
FRANK  W.  WELLS. 

July  15,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  N.  WELLS. 

July  25,  1862 ;  discharged. 
SAMUEL  WHITRIDGE. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  WHITE. 

July  27,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  First  Sergeant. 
JOHN  WILSON. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

RECRUITS. 

CHARLES  M.  ASH. 

Sept.  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  S.  ASHER. 

March  22,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  T.  BEVAN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  BURK. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  F.  BRUNER. 

Jan.  28,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
SAMSON  BARBEE. 

Dec.  30,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  H.  BRYANT. 

Sept.  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  A.  DUZAN. 

Aug.  n,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  O.  FLETCHER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
BENJ.  F.  KILGORE. 

July  15,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  O'CONNOR 

Jan.  18,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 


330  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JOHN  PARK. 

April  4,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ISAAC  N.  PROSSER. 

Aug.  8,  1864;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  REESE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  H.  STEPHENSON. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  D.  STEELE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
MATTHIAS  STUCK. 

Jan.  13,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865; 

wounded  at  Peach  Tree  Creek. 
JOHN  S.  SMITH. 

Jan.  29,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  TONEY. 

Jan.  30,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ABRAHAM  WAUGHTELL. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  S.  WELDON. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ELIJAH  WHITE. 

Sept.  6, 1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

COMPANY    F. 

H.  M.  ENDSLEY. 

Captain,  commissioned  Aug.  8,  1862;  Aug.  8,  1862;  mus 
tered  out  with  the  Regiment. 

THOMAS  B.  GARY. 

First  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Aug.  8,  1862 ;  Aug.  8,  1862 ; 
resigned  for  good  of  the  service  Sept.  6,  1863. 

GEORGE  W.  GRUBBS. 

First  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Sept.  7,  1863 ;  Nov.  20, 
1863;  resigned  Jan.  20,  1865,  to  accept  appointment  as 
Major  42d  Regiment  U.  S.  Colored  Troops. 

ISHAM  REED. 

First  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Jan.  21,  1865;  March  27, 
1865 ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  331 

COLEMAN  F.  STORMS. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Aug.  8,  1862;  Aug.  8, 

1862 ;  resigned  Feb.  6,  1863. 
WILLIAM  H.  THOMAS. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Feb.  7,  1863 ;  Feb.  26, 

1863 ;  resigned  Sept.  6,  1863. 
ISHAM  REED. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  March  i,  1864;  March  7, 

1864;  promoted  First  Lieutenant. 
JOHN  S.  PARKER. 

Second  Lieutenant,  commissioned  Feb.  n,  1865 ;  March  27, 

1865  ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
WILLIAM  H.  THOMAS. 

First  Sergeant  July  23,  1862 ;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant. 
ISHAM  REED. 

Sergeant  July  28,  1862 ;  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant. 
MOSES  DENNEY. 

Sergeant  July  29,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  First 

Sergeant. 
CHARLES  LUTHER. 

Sergeant  July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  S.  PARKER. 

Sergeant  July  28,  1862 ;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant. 
ALFRED  BARNGROVER. 

Corporal  Aug.  3,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  pri 
vate. 
GEO.  W.  DAWSON. 

Corporal  July  23,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Ser 
geant. 
JAS.  A.  STORM. 

Corporal  July  23,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Ser 
geant. 
GEO.  W.  COLCLASIER. 

Corporal  July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  BASSETT. 

Corporal  July  23,  1862 ;  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Creek  July  20, 

1864. 


332  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JAS.  M.  EADES. 

Corporal  July  23,  1862;  wounded  June  15,  1865;  mustered 

out  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  T.  DARGAN. 

Corporal  July  23,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
A.  J.  HULSOPPLE. 

Corporal  July  23,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  I, 

1862. 
HY.  MENDENHALL. 

Musician  Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ISAAC  STEELE. 

Musician  July  20,  1862. 
JOS.  C  JOHNSON. 

Wagoner  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

JOHN  W.  ANDREWS. 

July  28,  1862 ;.  killed  in  battle  at  Resaca  May  15,  1864. 
JOHN  LEWIS  ANDREWS. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
FRANK  ALEXANDER. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAS.  M.  ARTHUR. 

July  28,  1862;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  July  15,  1863. 
WM.  J.  ARTHUR. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
OLIVE  J.  BASSETT. 

July  28,  1862 ;  discharged  Feb.  27,  1865. 
DANIEL  BARNGROVER. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps  Aug.  29,  1864. 
THOMAS  BUSH. 

Aug.  8,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  10,  1863. 
TILMAN  BUSH. 

July  23,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  COX. 

July  23, 1862 ;  killed  at  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  25,  1864. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  333 

A.  A.  COLCLASIER. 

July  23,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
PHILIP  COLCLASIER. 

July  23,  1862 ;  discharged  May  6,  1864. 
ROLLY  D.  CLOUSIER. 

July  30,  1862. 
CHARLES  W.  CRODY. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
LEANDER  COLLINS. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  died  at  Murf reesboro,  Tenn.,  Aug.  10,  1863. 
HEZEKIAH  CARPENTER. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  deserted  Aug.  13,  1862. 
GEO.  G.  DAVIS. 

July  23,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAS.  H.  DAVIDSON. 

July  29,  1862;  discharged  May  6,  1863. 
WM.  DERICKSON. 

July  28,  1862;  discharged  May  6,  1863. 
W.  W.  DAY. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
A.  H.  DODD. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  FISHER. 

Aug.  6,  1862. 
IRA  FIELDS. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865, 
LEVI  GRIFFITH. 

July  29,  1862  ;  discharged  Oct.  3,  1862. 
ADAM  GIRTON. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  deserted  Aug.  14,  1862. 
JOHN  GOODRICK. 

Aug.  n,  1862. 
JACOB  HOWERY. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  HULSOPPLE. 

July  23,  1862;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  Aug.  I,  1863. 
CHAS.  HOWERY. 

July  23,  1862;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Jan.  28,  1863. 


334  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

WAT.  C.  HOWARD. 

July  23,  1862 ;  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Creek  July  20,  1864. 
DAVID  S.  HACKER. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  HACKER. 

July  23,  1862;  killed  at  Newhope  Church  June  15,  1864. 
F.  M.  HUGHS. 

July  25,  1862;  deserted  Sept.  13,  1862. 
GEORGE  W.  HUGHS. 

July  29,  1862 ;  deserted  Sept  23,  1862. 
SYLVESTER  HULTZ. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  discharged  Dec.  16,  1862. 
THOMAS  HENRY. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  deserted  Aug.  14,  1862. 
WADDY  HOOVER. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  discharged  June  8,  1865. 
JEFFERSON  HOSKINS. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  discharged  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  M.  IMIL. 

July  26,  1862 ;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  March  19,  1864. 
MICHAEL  HILL. 

July  23,  1862 ;  deserted  Aug.  14,  1862. 
THOS.  S.  JOYCE. 

July  23,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  16,  1862. 
J.  J.  JONES. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
D.  C.  KENNEDY. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
DALE  KRITZER. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  deserted  Jan.  3,  1863. 
JOS.  K.  KEELER. 

Aug.  8,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAS.  V.  KING. 

July  23,  1862 ;  deserted  Dec.  20,  1862. 
JEROME  MOORE. 

July  23,  1862;  discharged  March  10,  1862. 
NOAH  MASSEY. 

July  23,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  335 

D.  O.  MANN. 

Aug.  7,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  10,  1862. 
MATTHIAS  M'KAY. 

Aug.  i,  1862 
JAS.  MILLER. 

Aug.  9,  1862;  deserted  Aug.  13,  1862. 
WM.  M'BRIDE. 

Aug.  9,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JASPER  NICHOLS. 

July  23,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Term.,  Feb.  22,  1863. 
JEREMIAH  ODELL. 

July  23,  1862 ;  killed  at  Kenesaw  June  15,  1864. 
WM.  PORTER. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAS.  PULLIAM. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEO.  W.  PATTERSON. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
JOHN  ROBERTS. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  T.  ROUSE. 

July  28,  1862 ;  killed  at  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  27,  1864. 
THOMAS  ROSS. 

July  23, 1862 ;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
PHILIP  ROUSE. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  16,  1862. 
JACOB  REESER. 

Aug.  5,  1862. 
AL.  W.  REESER. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAS.  STEWARD. 

July  23,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Oct.  21,  1862. 
JOHN  STRINGER. 

July  20..  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
SAM  STEWART. 

July  23,  1862 ;  discharged  December  10,  1862. 
F.  J.  SHOEMAKER. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


336  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

GEO.  S.  SPEAGLE. 

July  23,  1862;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Dec.  19,  1862. 
ALONZO  SMITH. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ISAAC  SHAW. 

Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HARVEY  STROUP. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  deserted  Aug.  13,  1862. 
MARSHALL  STODDARD. 

Aug.  9,  1862 ;  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  Nov.  26,  1862. 
JOHN  F.  VANLUE. 

Aug.  8,  1862;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Jan.  15,  1863. 
LYCURGUS  VICTOR. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JESSE  WINTON. 

July  23,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  WINTON. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  15,  1863. 
JESSE  WILLIAMS. 

July  23,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
JOSEPH  WOOD. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  discharged  May  20,  1865. 
DAVID  WALKER. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAS.  WINTON. 

Aug.  8,  1862;  deserted  Aug.  13,  1862. 
AMOS  WILLIS. 

Aug.  9,  1862;  deserted  Sept.  13,  1862. 
WILLIAM  WHITEHEAD. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 

RECRUITS. 

MARION  ALLEE,  JR. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  ALEXANDER. 

Aug.  26,  1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  I,  1862. 
JOHN  BRADY. 

Sept.  8,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  April  25,  1863. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  337 

WILLIAM  BALES. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOSEPH  N.  BILL. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WOODSON  BRYANT. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAS.  N.  BOURNE. 

March  26,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JEREMIAH  BASSETT. 

Dec.  16,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  BADGLEY. 

Dec.  15,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
STEPHEN  H,  BALLARD. 

Dec.  24,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  F.  COLLINS. 

Feb.  i,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ANDERSON  J.  COLLINS. 

Feb.  i,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
GAMALIUS  COLLINS. 

Feb.  i,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  DODSON. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  ELLIOTT. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
LUKE  GRIFFITH. 

Sept.  8,  1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Oct.  15,  1862. 
LEVI  GRIFFITH. 

Jan.  2,  1862 ;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Sept.  26,  1863. 
ERI  A.  GAMBOLD. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAS.  F.  HARDIN. 

Feb.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  HANSELL. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  J.  HOLDRAM. 

Dec.  12,  1864;  killed  at  Resaca  May  14,  1864. 
BENJ.  JOHNSON. 

Sept.  8,  1862 ;  discharged  March  19,  1864. 


338  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

CHAUNCY  KNOWLTON. 

Feb.  i,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  LEWIS. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
LINDSEY  LAMB. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  M'GREW. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ARRIS  M.  MORLEY. 

Feb.  12,  1863  ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ANDREW  MAY, 

Dec.  15,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  MILLER. 

Dec.  15,  1863;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  L.  MESLER. 

Jan.  24,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8, 1865. 
LEVI  C.  MORLEY. 

Jan.  23,  1864;  deserted  March  16,  1865. 
PHILIP  MILLER. 

Aug.  26,  1863 ;  discharged  at  Madison  Feb.  20,  1864. 
JAMES  H.  NAIL. 

March  i,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  B.  PRITCHARD. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
CHALMERS  REED. 

March  7,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOSEPH  H.  SMITH. 

March  21,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  STEWART. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  SQUIRES. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
FRANCIS  H.  SIMS. 

Jan.  28,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
BENJ.  F.  STEWART. 

Feb.  12,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  F.  SMITH. 

Aug.  19,  1864;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  339 

GEO.  TINCHER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
BENJ.  VANPELT. 

Feb.  26,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
MICHAEL  P.  VORIS. 

Dec.  n,  1862 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 

COMPANY   G. 

PARKER  S.  CARSON. 

Captain;  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  recruiting  offi 
cer  July  14,  1862;  promoted  Captain  Aug.  7,  1862;  mus 
tered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

JOHN  M.  WHITE. 

First  Lieutenant;  promoted  Ass't  Surgeon  Dec.  6,  1862; 
died  1863. 

THOMAS  WEBB. 

Second  Lieutenant;  promoted  First  Lieutenant  Dec.  6, 
1862;  resigned  June  13,  1863. 

EDWARD  S.  SMOCK. 

Orderly  Sergeant;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant  Dec.  6, 
1862;  First  Lieutenant  June  13,  1863;  wounded  at  Resaca, 
Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  discharged  Nov.  4,  1864;  disability. 

JOSIAH  LOWES. 

First  Sergeant;  promoted  Orderly  Sergeant  Dec.  6,  1862; 
Second  Lieutenant  June  13,  1863 ;  killed  by  gunshot  July 
20,  1864,  at  Peach  Tree  Creek. 

SOMERFIELD  THOMAS. 

Sergeant;  promoted  Ord.  Sergeant  June  13,  1863;  Second 
Lieutenant  Dec.  17,  1864;  First  Lieutenant  Jan.  24,  1865; 
wounded  May  15,  1865,  at  Resaca,  Ga. ;  mustered  out  with 
Regiment  June  8,  1865. 

EDWARD  KENTZEL. 

Sergeant ;  killed  by  cannon  shot  June  15,  1864. 

JOHN  S.  MORRIS. 

Sergeant;  promoted  Ord.  Sergeant  Dec.  7,  1864;  Second 
Lieutenant  Jan.  24,  1865 ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment  June 
8,  1865. 


340  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JOHN  S.  THOMAS. 

Corporal;  promoted  Sergeant  Dec.  6,  1862;  killed  May  15, 

1864,  at  Resaca,  Ga. 
DANIEL  W.  LEAVITT. 

Corporal ;  promoted  Sergeant  June  13,  1863 ;  died  in  hos 
pital  Oct.   n,    1864. 
RICHARD  FERREE. 

Corporal;  killed  May  15,  1864,  at  Resaca,  Ga. 
WILLIAM  H.  M'LAUGHLIN. 

Corporal;  promoted  Sergeant  Sept.  I,  1864;  wounded  July 

20,  1864,  at  Peach  Tree  Creek 
CAREY  A.  M'FARLAND. 

Corporal ;  discharged  from  hospital. 
DAVID  BREWER. 

Corporal;  promoted  Sergeant  Sept.   i,  1864;  discharged 

from  hospital. 
DANIEL  M.  RANSDELL. 

Corporal;  wounded  May  15,  1864,  Resaca,  Ga. ;  right  arm 

amputated ;  discharged  March  10,  1865,  Indianapolis. 
ROBERT  M.  WILLIS. 

Corporal;  discharged  Aug.  26,  1864,  by  special  order  of 

Gen'l  Thomas,  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  to  receive  promotion  in 

Pioneer  Corps. 
JOSEPH  EDWARDS. 

Musician ;  mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 
WHARTON  RANSDELL. 

Musician ;  discharged  from  hospital. 
SAMUEL  COLLY. 

Teamster ;  mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865 
VALENTINE  LEEPER. 

Teamster;  died  at  Acton,  Ind.,  Oct.  n,  1864. 

PRIVATES. 

JOSEPH  ALEXANDER. 

Discharged  from  hospital. 
HIRAM  ADAIR. 

Wounded  June  15,   1864,  by  gunshot;  died  from  wound 
July  20,  1864,  Nashville,  Tenn. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  341 

JOSEPH  ADAIR. 

Wounded  June  15,  1864,  by  cannon  shot;  died  from  wound 
June  19,  1864,  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

WILLIAM  BRENTON. 

Killed  by  gunshot  May  15,  1865,  at  Resaca,  Ga. 

ROBERT  BUTCHER. 

Wounded  in  right  arm  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  mus 
tered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

JOHN  W.  BARNETT. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

HOWARD  BRUMLEY. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

ANDREW  CARSON. 

Wounded  in  face  by  explosion  of  shell  June  15,  1864,  at 
Golgotha,  Ga. ;  mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865, 

ABSALOM  CRUSE. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

JOHN  R.  COPELAND. 

Wounded  in  breast  by  spent  ball  June  19,  1864 ;  mustered 
out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

HENRY  CLARY. 

Wounded  by  shell  at  Golgotha,  Ga.,  June  15,  1864;  died  of 
wound  June  20,  1864,  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

GEO.  W.  CROSSON. 

Promoted  Corporal  Sept.  i,  1864;  mustered  out  with  Com 
pany  June  8,  1865. 

GEORGE  CALDWELL. 

Promoted  Corporal  June  13,  1863  ;  promoted  Sergeant  Dec, 
17,  1864 ;  wounded  in  head  by  shell  June  15,  1864 ;  mustered 
out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

JAMES  G.  CLARK. 

Promoted  Corporal  Sept.  I,  1864;  mustered  out  with  Com 
pany  June  8,  1865. 

WILLIAM  T.  CLARK. 

Killed  by  gunshot  May  15,  1864,  at  Resaca,  Ga. 

THOMAS  D.  CAMPBELL. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 


342  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ELLISON  CARR. 

Discharged  on  Surgeon's  certificate  of  disability  Aug.  12, 
1864,  at  Indianapolis. 
WILLIAM  DUNLAP. 

Wounded  in  shoulder  by  gunshot  May  15,  1864,  at  Resaca, 
Ga. 
RICHARD  DOBSON. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  W.  DUELL. 

Wounded  in  side  by  shell  June  15,  1864. 

DAVID  M.  EDWARDS. 

Discharged  on  Surgeon's  certificate  of  disability  June,  1863, 
Nashville,  Tenn. 

JEREMIAH  FEATHERSTONE. 

Wounded  at  Golgotha,  Ga.,  June  15,  1864;  discharged 
March  6,  1865  ;  disability. 

CHARLES  N.  FITZGERALD. 

Died  at  Lavergne,  Tenn.,  June  16,  1863. 

ELIJAH  FISHER. 

Promoted  Corporal  Sept.  i,  1864;  mustered  out  with  Com 
pany  June  8,  1865. 

ISAAC  N.  FRED. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

THOMAS  B.  FOWLER. 

Wounded  in  right  arm  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  dis 
charged  Dec.  6,  1864,  for  disability  from  wound  at  Indian 
apolis. 

JOHN  FOULK. 

Killed  by  shell  near  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  25,  1864. 

DAVID  GRUBE. 

Wounded  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.,  July  20,  1864;  mus 
tered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

ALEXANDER  GORDON. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

WILLIAM  GWINUP. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  343 

JAMES  H.  GIBSON. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  mustered  out  with 

Company  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  GIFFORD. 

Deserted  from  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.,  1862. 
SILAS  S.  HARRIS. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  died  of  wound 

Aug.  14,  1864,  at  Bridgeport,  Ala. 
JOHN  HOLTON. 

Discharged  from  hospital. 
MARTIN  M.  HARLAN. 

Wounded  at  Golgotha,  Ga.,  June  15,  1864;  died  of  wound 

July  9,  1864,  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 
GEO.  W.  HARLAN. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  HARRIS. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  mustered  out  with 

Company  June  8,  1865. 
ALBERT  HELMS. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  discharged  for 

disability  by  reason  of  wound  Jan.  17,  1865,  at  Indianapolis. 
THOMAS  D.  HARTMAN. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 
GEO.  M.  JONES. 

Died  Nov.  8,  1862,  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky. 
WILLIAM  A.  KUSER. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  R.  LOWES. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 
CHANCEY  LEAVITT. 

Killed  in  battle  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
GEO.  W.  LEWIS. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  discharged  from 

hospital. 
JAMES  H.  M'LAUGHLIN. 

Discharged  for  disability  July  19,  1863,  at  Gallatin,  Tenn. 
VALENTINE  M'MULLEN. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 


344  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

ROBERT  S.  MOORE. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864  ;  mustered  out  with 
Company  June  8,  1865. 
DANIEL  MERRIMAN. 


MOSES  GgMiAIN  aSVC'    enn"     OV'  3°' 


Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  discharged  August 
18,  1864,  for  amputation  of  right  arm  at  Indianapolis 
LYMAN  MARTIN. 

Died  of  consumption  Nov.  10,  1863,  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn 
JOHN  D.  MOORE. 

Deserted  from  Louisville,  Ky.,  Aug.  16  1862 
GEO.  W.  M'MILLEN. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  mustered  out  with 
Company  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  A.  MARRS. 

Promoted    Sergeant  July  22,    1862;   transferred  to   non 
commissioned  staff. 
ENOCH  H.  NELSON. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  W.  PIERSON. 

Wounded  at  Golgotha,  Ga.,  June  15,  1864;  discharged  from 
hospital,  Indianapolis. 
JOHN  H.  PEGGS. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  discharged  from 
hospital. 
CHARLES  W.  RAWLINGS. 

Discharged  away  from  Company  1865. 
WILLIAM  T.  RAWLINGS. 

Discharged  Feb.  18,  1863,  for  disability  at  Indianapolis. 
BENJ.  RANSDELL. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  mustered  out  with 
Company  June  8,  1865. 
THEODORE  REYBOURN. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  RUSSELL. 

Discharged    Dec.    6,    1862,    for    disability    at    Bowling 
Green,  Ky. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  345 

LUTHER  SYLVEY. 

Discharged  March  17,  1864,  for  disability  at  Nashville, 
Tenn. 

JOHN  T.  SEELY. 

Wounded  at  Golgotha,  Ga.,  June  15,  1864;  discharged  be 
cause  of  wound  Nov.  25,  1864,  at  Indianapolis. 

RICHARD  SCANLAN. 

Promoted  Corporal  Sept.  I,  1864;  mustered  out  with  Com 
pany  June  8,  1865. 

DAVID  STOOPS. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  discharged  because 
of  disability  Dec.  7,  1864,  at  Indianapolis. 

RICHARD  M.  SMOCK. 

Wounded  by  gunshot  June  16,  1864 ;  transferred  to  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps  April  24,  1865 ;  discharged  at  Indianapolis, 
June  30,  1865. 

SAMUEL  J.  SMOCK. 

Promoted  Corporal  and  Sergeant,  dates  unknown ;  wounded 
at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.,  July  20,  1864;  wounded  at 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  15,  1864;  discharged  Sept.  i,  1864,  to 
accept  promotion. 

JOHN  THOMAS. 

Discharged  May  4,  1863,  for  disability  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

GEO.  C.  THOMPSON. 

Promoted  Corporal  Sept.  i,  1864;  detailed  as  Color  Guard 
Nov.,  1864;  discharged  from  general  hospital,  Albany  N. 
Y.,  June  8,  1865. 

SHELTON  THOMPSON. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

JAMES  J.  TOON. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

ADOLPHUS  TOON. 

Discharged  March  19,  1863,  for  disability  caused  by  acci 
dental  gunshot. 

JAMES  J.  TOLIN. 

Deserted  from  Indianapolis  Aug.,  1862;  arrested  July, 
1863;  deserted  second  time  October,  1863,  at  Nashville, 
Tenn. 


346  THE   SEVENTIETH   INDIANA 

HOWARD  TODD. 

Discharged  Feb.  9,  1863,  by  reason  of  disability  caused 
by  accidental  gunshot. 

BENJ.  VORHEES. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

IRA  WILLIAMS. 

Wounded  by  shell  June  15,  1865,  at  Golgotha,  Ga. ;  mus 
tered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

WILLIAM  WELLS. 

Killed  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.,  1864,  by  gunshot. 

JOSEPH  A.  WHEATLEY. 

Mustered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

WILLIAM  L.  WENTZ. 

Wounded  by  gunshot  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  mus 
tered  out  with  Company  June  8,  1865. 

NELSON  YOKE. 

Mustered  out  with  company  June  8,   1865 ;  detailed  as 
Orderly  at  Big  Headquarters. 

RECRUITS. 

SAMUEL  BARROW. 

Discharged  from  hospital  at  Indianapolis. 
ISAAC  COOK. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  died  of  wound 

July  9,  1864,  at  Louisville,  Ky. 
WILLIAM  H.  FRED. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  discharged  for 

disability  caused  by  wound  March  18,  1865,  at  Indianapolis. 
WILLIAM  E.  GORDON. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
FRANCIS  M.  HARTMAN. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  H.  MOORE. 

Discharged  for  promotion  March  24,  1864;  Adjutant  I3th 

Indiana  Cavalry. 
ROBERT  A.  MOORE. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  347 

JOHN  W.  REYNOLDS. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
BENJ.  THOMAS. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  died  of  wound 

June  21,  1864,  at  Resaca,  Ga. 
JOHN  J.  TURNER. 

Wounded  by  gunshot  June  22,  1864;  transferred  to  33d 

Indiana  June  8,  1865. 

VETERANS  AND  RECRUITS. 

Transferred  to  Company  G,  7oth  Indiana,  Nov.  15,  1864,  from 

27th  Indiana. 
JOSEPH  RALLY. 

Promoted  to  Ord.  Sergeant  March  28,  1865 ;  transferred  to 

33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865 ;  Veteran. 
FRANKLIN  SHEIRMERSHEIM. 

Promoted  Second  Sergeant  Dec.   17,   1864;  wounded  at 

Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana 

June  8,  1865. 
AUGUSTE  DONNERMAN. 

Corporal ;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  W.  LANSFORD. 

Corporal;  wounded  at  Chancellors ville,  Va.,  1862,  and  at 

Dallas,  Ga.,  June  15,   1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana 

June  8,  1865. 
RHEINHART  RICH. 

Musician ;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 

PRIVATES. 

JOHN  ACKERMAN. 

Wounded  May  25,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June 

8,  1865. 
ANTHONY  BARGER. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  BURTON. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 


348  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

EDWARD  DUFFY. 

Wounded  at  Antietam,  Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862;  transferred  to 

33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
CELESTINE  ECKERTS. 

Wounded  Aug.  29,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June 

8,  1865. 
FREDERIC  GETTER. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865 
JOHN  E.  GARDNER. 

Wounded  at  Antietam,  Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862;  transferred  to 

33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
BENJ.  F.  KEMP. 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,  1863;  transferred  to 

33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  B.  KEMP. 

Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,  1863;  transferred  to 

33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
JACOB  MATHAIS, 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865 ;  wounded  May 

25,  1864. 
JOSEPH  RICE. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
GEO.  W.  STRINGER. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8, 1865. 
RANSOM  H.  WALLACE. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 

COMPANY  H. 

AMBROSE  D.  CUNNING. 

Captain;   commissioned  Aug.    12,    1862;  Aug.    12,    1862; 

mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
WILLIAM  HARDENBROOK. 

First  Lieutenant;  commissioned  Aug.  12,  1862;  Aug.   12, 

1862 ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
WILLIS  RECORD. 

Second  Lieutenant;  commissioned  Aug.  12,  1862;  Aug.  12, 

1862  ;  resigned  Dec.  21,  1864. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  349 

LEROY  S.  HATLEY. 

First  Sergeant  Aug.  2,  1862;  promoted  Second  Lieuten 
ant;  commissioned  Jan.  17,  1865;  February  10,  1865;  mus 
tered  out  with  Regiment. 

ROBT.  W  M'NAUGHT. 

Sergeant  July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  pri 
vate. 

WM.   H.   BRADLEY. 

Sergeant ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 

WM.  F.  GARRISON. 

Sergeant;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  private. 

JOHN  F.  FARR. 

Sergeant  Aug.  2,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  12,  1862. 

JOSH  POLLARD. 

Corporal  July  29,  1862 ;  discharged  Dec.  10,  1862. 

WILEY  BRAGG. 

Corporal  July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Ser 
geant. 

GEO.  W.  FLAKE. 

Corporal  Aug.  5,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  30, 
1864;  wounds. 

WILLIAM  H.  GIBBS. 

Corporal  Aug.  2,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 

WILLIAM  OLDS. 

Corporal  Aug.  2,  1862;  killed  at  Newhope  Church  June 
15,  1864. 

D.  P.  KENNEDY. 

Corporal  Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865; 
wounded  at  Newhope  Church  June  15,  1864. 

ABRAHAM  G.  BUTTERFIELD. 

Corporal  Aug.  6,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov. 

13,  1862. 

PRESTON  D.  WAKELAND. 

Corporal  Aug.  6,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  W.  ELEY. 

Musician  Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  W.  WEAVER. 

Musician  July  28,    1862;  killed  near  Resaca,   Ga.,   May 

14,  1864. 


35°  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

PRIVATES. 

HEROD  ATKINS. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  B.  ASHER. 

July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865;  wounded  near 

Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864. 
HENLEY  ALBERTSON. 

Aug.  2,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Oct.  28,  1862. 
WILLIAM  W.  BEAN. 

July  8,  1862;  discharged  March  12,  1863. 
W.  G.  BAIN. 

July  28,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  31,  1862. 
MILTON  BOYD. 

July  29,  1862 ;  killed  at  Dallas  Woods,  Ga.,  May  30,  1864. 
WILLIAM  H.  BROWN. 

Aug.  5,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HARRISON  BURNS. 

Aug.  12,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
ANDREW  J.  BURNS. 

Aug.  12,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  BURNS. 

Aug.  12,  1862;  transferred  to  Eng.  Corps  Aug.  10,  1864. 
LEVI  BAKER. 

Aug.  12,  1862 ;  wounded  at  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek  July 

20,  1864;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEO.  W.  BURNS. 

Aug.  12,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  3,  1863. 
ISAAC  BENGE. 

Jan.  14,  1864;  died  at  Lookout  Valley  May  4,  1864. 
WILEY  BURNS. 

Jan.  28,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
H.  C.  BAKER. 

Jan.  14,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
MILTON  B.  BISHOP. 

Jan.  14,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  BALL. 
Oct.  10,  1863. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  351 

DAVID  COOK. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  B.  COX. 

July  29,  1862. 
WM.  S.  CRAMER. 

Aug.  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JEREMIAH  COLLIER. 

Aug.  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  CRANK. 

July  22,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HIRAM  COX. 

July  29,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8, 1865,  as  Corporal. 
JOSEPH  CLENDEMIM. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WM.  L.  COLLIER. 

July  28,  1862. 
OWEN  COLLIER 

Aug.  2,  1862. 
WM.  H.  COSTIN. 

July  27,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  M.  CREED. 

Aug.  10,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
FRANK  CHERLING. 

Jan.  21,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
DWIGHT  H.  DANE. 

July  21,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
MARSHALL  DANE. 

July  21,  1862 ;  died  at  Scottsville  Feb.  6,  1863. 
THOMAS  DIXON. 

Aug.  12,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
BENONI  N.  DANE. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  E.  DECOURSEY. 

Aug.  9,  1862 ;  died  at  Scottsville  Dec.  10,  1862. 
GEO.  W.  DENT. 

Aug.  10,  1862;  discharged  Oct.  31,  1862. 
DANIEL  DAVIDSON. 

Aug.  10,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


352  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

GILBERT  EWING. 

Dec.  31,  1863. 
WILLIAM  H.  FOWLER. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
FREDERICK  FUNK. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEO.  FUNK. 

July  1 8,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  C.  FAITH. 

Sept.  i,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  F.  GARRISON. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  discharged  Aug.  27,  1863. 
WILLIAM  G.  GARRISON. 

Aug.  12,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant 
WILLIAM  GLESSENER. 

Aug.  10,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  H.  GREGORY. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  GRAVES. 

Jan.  14,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
GREENBERRY  GRIFFEN. 

Jan.  14,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  HAYDEN. 

Aug.  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
NATHAN  T.  HASTINGS. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  T.  HAMMONS. 

Aug.   10,  1862;  wounded  July,  1864;  discharged  Dec.  I, 

1864. 
WILLIAM   D.   HOWEL. 

Aug.  12,  1862 ;  discharged  Dec.  6,  1862. 
WILLIAM  K.  HASTINGS. 

Jan.  14,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  HOWARD. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
LEE  HAZELWOOD. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  353 

WILLIAM  R.  HALE. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  HATLEY. 

Dec.  31,  1863 ;  died  at  Lookout  Mountain  Aug.  10,  1864. 
JOSHUA  HAMMOND. 

March  5,  1864 ;  died  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Oct.  5,  1864. 
WILLIAM  H.  HUSHAW. 

Feb.  13,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8, 1865. 
JOHN  JUDSON. 

Aug.  6,  1862. 
JAMES  H.  JUDSON. 

July  29,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  JACKSON. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  discharged  Dec.  6,  1862. 
DANIEL  JARRET. 

Jan.  16,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ALFRED  A.  KECK. 

Sept.  I,  1862 ;  discharged  Sept  3,  1865. 
JAMES  M.  LEWIS. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ALEXANDER  LONG. 

March  5,  1864;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Aug.  4,  1864. 
GEO.  LAWRENCE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
FRANKLIN  LAMAR. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
CALVIN  MORGAN. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ALEXANDER  C.  MYERS. 

Aug.  2,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEO.  W.  MOSIER. 

Aug.  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  MINTON. 

Aug.  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEO.  W.  McGOWEN. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  M.  McGOWEN. 

Aug.  10,  1862;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  May  31,  1864. 


354  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

SENECA  S.  MAJORS. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  H.  MULLIS. 

Aug.  10,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
MICHAEL  McKINNEY. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
HARVEY  NEWBORN. 

Aug.  6,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THEODORE  M.  NANCE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
REUBEN  NEWMAN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
DOUGLAS  NARBEL. 

Oct.  10,  1863. 
HENRY  C.  OLDS. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  discharged  Dec.  6,  1862. 
DANIEL  OLIVER. 

July  26,  1862. 
JOHN  J.  OLIVER. 

July  26,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMPSON  PAYTON. 

Jan.  14,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  PARSON. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
HARVEY  POMEROY. 

July  29,  1862;  deserted  Sept.  28,  1862. 
DAVID  L.  PEACOCK. 

Aug.  6,  1862. 
BENJ.  S.  ROBBINS. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
ELIS  L.  RAY. 

July  22,    1862;  died  May  22,    1864;  wound  received  at 

Resaca,  Ga. 
CHARLES  W.  ROBERTS. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  May  I,  1863. 
JOHN  RULE. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  355 

JACOB  REEDY. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  died  at  Washington,  D.  C,  May  25,  1865. 
SAMUEL  V.  SLACK. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  SINGLETON. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps  Aug.  10,  1864. 
MAISON  O.  SHIPLEY. 

July  26,  1862;  discharged  Sept.  15,  1863. 
DAVID  SMITH. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
CHARLES  SHELTMEYER. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
JAMES  SINGLETON. 

Aug.  10,  1862  ;  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Creek  July  20,  1864. 
JOHN  SCOTT. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1864. 
LEWIS  P.  STONE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1864. 
JAMES  W.  TOUT. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  May  24,  1863. 
JOSEPH  P.  TROYER. 

Aug.  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
OMAZIAH  TACKET. 

July  26,   1862. 
JOHN  THACHER. 

Aug.  10,  1862;  discharged  March  3,  1865. 
THOMAS  J.  TOWNSEND. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865 ;  wounded. 
DANIEL  TAYLOR. 

July  26,  1862. 
JAMES  THOMPSON. 

Jan.  14,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
HIRAM  VOYLES. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  died  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  24,  1864. 
ALBERT  VOYLES. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


356  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

MASON  WARNER. 

July  18,  1862;  died  Aug.  27,  1864;  wound  received  near 

Atlanta,  Ga. 
JESSE  WILHITE. 

Aug.  12,  1862;  discharged  March  12,  1863. 
ROBERT  WHEELER. 

July  25,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOSEPH  WHITSON. 

July  29,  1862 ;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  24,  1864. 
WILLIAM  S.  WARTHERN. 

Aug.  2,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEO.  W.  WARNER. 

Aug.  10,  1862;  discharged  March  8,  1863. 
ANDREW  WHITE. 

March  26,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  WHITE. 

March  26,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ROBERT  S.  WILSON. 

March  26,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  F.  WEBBER. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 

COMPANY  I. 

WILLIAM  H.  FISHER. 

Captain  Aug.  7,  1862;  Aug.  12,  1862;  resigned  Feb.  24, 
1864;  went  home  from  Stevenson,  Ala.,  March  6,  1864. 

JOHN  W.  THORNBURG. 

Captain;  transferred  to  Company  I  Nov.  14,  1864,  from 
the  27th  Indiana ;  mustered  out  with  the  Regiment. 

THOMAS  J.  MORGAN. 

First  Lieutenant ;  resigned  April  2,  1864,  to  become  Colonel 
I4th  U.  S.  C.  Infantry ;  promoted  Brigadier  General. 

STEPHEN  W.  DUNCAN. 

Second  Lieutenant;  resigned  April  3,  1863. 

SAMUEL  WESLEY  MARTIN. 

First  Sergeant ;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant,  First  Lieu 
tenant  ;  severely  wounded  May  14  at  Resaca,  Ga. ;  mustered 
out  with  Regiment. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  357 

GEORGE  W.  GRUBBS. 

Sergeant;    promoted    Sergeant    Major,    First    Lieutenant 

Company   F,   Acting   A.    A.    G.    First   Brigade;    slightly 

wounded  at  Peach  Tree  Creek;  Major  42d  U.  S.  C.  In 
fantry;  stunned  at  Resaca,  May  15,  1864,  by  a  cannon  ball. 
JOHN  E.  CLELAND. 

Sergeant ;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant ;  declined ;  promoted 

Adjutant,  Captain  44th  U.  S.  C.  Infantry;  prisoner  of  war 

Oct.,  1864.    Acting  A.  A.  G.  Brigade  Staff. 
JOSEPH  M.  TILSON. 

Sergeant ;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant ;  mustered  out  with 

Regiment. 
HENRY  W.  HENDERSON. 

Sergeant ;  discharged  Aug.  5,  1863 ;  disability. 
JAMES  H.  METEER. 

Sergeant ;  promoted  Captain  I4th  U.  S.  C.  Infantry. 
JAMES  H.  KELLY. 

Sergeant;  mustered  out  with  Regiment  as  First  Sergeant. 
THOMAS  H.  DEER. 

Sergeant;  wounded  Aug.  10,  1864,  and  died  the  I3th,  near 

Atlanta,  Ga. 
GEO.  W.  ADAMS. 

Sergeant ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
J.  F.  VARNER. 

Sergeant ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
JOHN  W.  STRICKLER. 

Sergeant;  on  detail  with  General  Slocum;  mustered  out 

with  Regiment. 
JAMES  T.  KINNICK. 

Sergeant;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
GEO.  A.  COLEMAN. 

Corporal ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment  as  private. 
REDDING  M.  GARRISON. 

Corporal;  regimental  P.  M.,  Color  Guard;  mustered  out 

with  Regiment. 
WILLIAM  B.  KELLY. 

Corporal ;  discharged  Dec.  13,  1862  ;  disability. 
ISAAC  DUCKWORTH. 

Corporal ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment  as  Teamster. 


358  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

WILLIAM  C.  SANDEFUR. 

Corporal ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
CLINTON  R.  SMITH. 

Corporal ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
ANDREW  J.  JOHNSON. 

Corporal ;  slightly  wounded  June  25  at  Kenesaw  Mountain 

and  July  20  at  Peach  Tree  Creek ;  mustered  out  with  Regi 
ment. 
ORLANDO  M.  MORRISON. 

Corporal;  mustered  out  with  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JERRY  LONG. 

Corporal;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
FRANCIS  M.  TILSON. 

Corporal ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
BENJ.  N.  ADAMS. 

Corporal;  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
CORNELIUS  L.  GARSHWILER. 

Corporal ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment ;  recruit. 
LEWIS  ANDERSON. 

Musician ;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  July  27,  1863 ;  body 

sent  home. 
MARINE  TILSON. 

Musician ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
SIMON  MINOR  TILSON. 

Musician ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment  as  Bugler. 

PRIVATES. 

NEWTON  G.  ADAMS. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment ;  had  served  in  7th  Indiana. 
SAMUEL  E.  ADAMS. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
BETHUEL  ADAMS. 

Died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Jan.  17,  1863. 
JAMES  ARCHBOLD. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  D.  AMOS. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment ;  recruited  Dec.  7,  1863. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  359 

HARLAN  ANDERSON. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 
IRWIN  D.  BAKER. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
WILLIAM  R.  BANTA. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
ALONZO  N.  BERGEN. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
WILLIAM  H.  BISHOP. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
MARTIN  BEARD. 

Discharged  Oct.  27,  1862 ;  disability. 
BENJ.  F.  BROWN. 

Died  of  wounds  received  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
LEVI  BURNETT. 

Died  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C,  Feb.  14,  1865. 
HENRY  S.  BYERS. 

Discharged  May  15,  1863;  disability;  First  Lieutenant  in 

I32d  Indiana. 
ADAM  BIOUS. 

Died  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  June  6,  1865 ;  from  27th  In 
diana. 
ALLEN  BRYANT. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 
PERRY  BOOKER. 

Discharged  April  8,  1865 ;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 
SANFORD  S.  BOLDRY. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment ;  recruited  Oct.  26,  1863. 
JAS.  M.  CLEM. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
THOMAS  J.  COOK. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
GEO.  COOK. 

Discharged  May  4,  1863. 
JERRY  M.  COLEMAN. 

Died  July  7,  of  wounds  received  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15, 

1864. 


360  THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

DANIEL  CRAWFORD. 

Discharged  Jan.  21,  1863;  disability. 
DAVID  N.  CRUTCHFIELD. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
TISDALE  E.  CURRY. 

Died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Dec.  25,  1862. 
WILLIAM  F.  COX. 

Mustered  out  April  8,  1865  ;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 
PHILLIPS  COX. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruit  from  2/th  Indiana. 
GEO.  W.  COONS. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 
WILLIAM  C.  COMBS. 

Died  of  wounds  received  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June  19, 

1864;  recruited  Feb.  14,  1864. 
JOSIAH  DEER. 

Discharged   on  account   of   wounds   received   at   Elwood 

Springs  Sept.  i,  1862. 
CHRISTOPHER  DOWDEN. 

Died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Jan.  27,  1863. 
REECE  DUNN. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
JOSIAH  DRAKE. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment ;  Brigade  Carpenter. 
GIDEON  DRAKE. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865 ;  recruited  Jan.  4, 

1864. 
DANIEL  W.  DUKE. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruited  March  29,  1864. 
WILLIAM  ELGIN. 

Promoted  Chaplain  I4th  U.  S.  C.  Infantry. 
JAMES  FEAR. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment ;  Company  Cook. 
WILLIAM  FRED. 

Discharged  Dec.  15,  1862;  disability. 
HENRY  A.  FERRIS. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  361 

JOSEPH  M.  FISHER. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana;  recruited  March  i,  1864. 
GRANVILLE  R.  GRIFFITH. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
WINSTON  B.  GARR. 

Discharged  Feb.  25,  1863 ;  disability. 
JOHN  GLASS. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruited  Dec.  9, 1863. 
JAMES  R.  HAMILTON. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment ;  Company  Cook. 
EBENEZER   HARBERT. 

Transferred  to  Pioneer  Corps  Aug.  10,  1864. 
NATHAN  HARRIS. 

Transferred  to  Pioneer  Corps  Aug.  10,  1864. 
JAMES  H.  HINKLE. 

Died  of  wounds  received  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
SAMUEL  P.  HOEFER. 

Wounded  June   15,  1864;  discharged  Dec.  6,   1864;  had 

served  in  the  i8th  Indiana. 
JAMES  W.  HOWARD. 

Drowned  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Sept.  14,  1862. 
WILLIAM  HUGHES. 

Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Sept.  15, 1863. 
JAMES  HUTCHISON. 

Discharged  Jan.  16,  1863;  disability. 
AARON  W.  HUTCHISON. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
FRANCIS  M.  HARPER. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865 ;  recruited  Sept. 

21,  1863. 
ISAAC  N.  HARPER. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865;  recruited  Dec. 

9,  1863. 
JOSEPH  C.  HENDERSON. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865 ;  recruited  Dec. 

9,  1863. 
REUBEN  HOLBROOK. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruit  from  2/th  Indiana. 


THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

BENJ.  H.  IRWIN. 

Died  of  wounds  received  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  July  2,  1864;  re 
cruited  Feb.  27,  1864. 
JOSEPH  L.  IRWIN. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruited  February  27,  1864. 
GEO.  B.  ISRAEL. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruited  Dec.  9,  1863. 
HARRISON  JACKSON. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment  June  8,  1864. 
NATHANIEL  L.  JOHNSON. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
JAMES  S.  KELLY. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
ANDREW  T.  KELLY. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  wounded  at  Snake  Creek  Gap ; 

recruited  Dec.  7,  1863. 
THOMAS  C.  MAPPIN. 

Died  of  wounds  received  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14, 1864. 
JOSEPH  M.  MAPPIN. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment;  had  served  in  i8th  Indiana. 

TIPTON  MCALLISTER. 

Died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  Nov.  18,  1862. 

JESSE  c.  MCLEAN. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
JAMES  A.  McKEEHAN. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
WILLIAM  G.  McVEY. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
HUGH  McCRACKEN. 

Discharged  April  4,  1863  ;  re-enlisted  in  I7th  Indiana. 
SAMUEL  MITCHELL. 

Killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
LEVI  MOODY. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
EUGENE  A.  MORGAN. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana  June  8,  1865 ;  recruited  Aug. 

13,  1863. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  363 

WILLIAM  MUSTER. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 
WILLIAM  M.  NEAL. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
ALONZO  OLMSTEAD. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 
GEO.  W.  FARMER. 

Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  9,  1863. 
SAMUEL  PATTERSON. 

Killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864. 
FRANCIS  H.  PATTERSON. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
JOHN  A.  POOL. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
WILLIAM  H.  QUINN. 

Discharged  May  15,  1865  ;  disability. 
JAMES  M.  QUINN. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
JAMES  M.  RICHARDSON. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
JOHN  SILL. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
JAMES  W.  Smith. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment  as  Teamster. 
CHARLES  N.  SMITH. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruited  Dec.  7,  1863. 
JAMES  M.  SMITH. 

Discharged  Feb.  16,  1863;  disability. 
JOHN  A.  STANFIELD. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment ;  served  a  time  in  Heavy  Ar 
tillery. 
WILLIAM  W.  STEWARD. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
ALEXANDER  SUITOR. 

Discharged  March  7,  1863 ;  disability. 
GRIFFITH  STRADLEY. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 
JOHN  W.  SWINNEY. 


364  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

Discharged  Nov.  21,  1863;  disability. 
SAMUEL  H.  TETRICK. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment ;  Wagon  Master. 
JOHN  A.  TROUT. 

Discharged  July  28,  1863;  disability. 
ELIJAH  VANARSDALL. 

Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Jan.  15,  1865. 
WILSON  VAUGHT. 

Wounded  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864;  mustered  out  with 

Regiment. 
JOHN  W.  VAUGHT. 

Killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June  15,  1864. 
ALLEN  A.  WALKER. 

Mustered  out  with  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  M.  WHITE. 

Wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June  19,  1864;  mustered 

out  with  regiment. 
WILLIAM  WHITESIDES. 

Discharged  Jan.  21,  1863. 
VOLNEY  WALTON. 

Transferred  to  33d  Indiana ;  recruit  from  27th  Indiana. 

COMPANY  K. 

SAMUEL  MERRILL. 

Captain  Aug.  i,  1862;  Major  April  n,  1863;  Lieutenant 

Colonel  March  i,  1864;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
JAMES  T.  MATLOCK. 

First  Lieutenant  Aug.   i,   1862;  Captain  April   n,   1863; 

wounded  at  Peach  Tree  Creek ;  mustered  out  Oct.  25,  1864. 
ORION  A.  BARTHOLOMEW. 

Second  Lieutenant  Aug.   i,   1862;  First  Lieutenant  April 

n,  1863 ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  i5th  U.  S.  C.  I;  Colonel  lOQth 

U.  S.  C.  I.;  Brevet  Brigadier  General. 
THOMAS  S.  CAMPBELL. 

First  Sergeant  July  25,  1862;  Second  Lieutenant  April  u, 

1863;  First  Lieutenant  Sept.  19,  1864;  mustered  out  with 

Regiment. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  365 

NATHAN  A.  SECREST. 

Sergeant  July  14,  1862 ;  promoted  Captain,  then  promoted 

Major  U.  S.  C.  I. 
WILLIAM  H.  KEMPER. 

Sergeant  July  19,  1862;  Second  Lieutenant  Nov.  14,  1864; 

mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
GEO.  P.  VANCE. 

Sergeant  July  30,  1862 ;  discharged  Aug.  26,  1863,  to  accept 

commission  in  the  Navy. 
JOSEPH  M.  HARRISON. 

Sergeant  July  23,  1862 ;  discharged  Dec.  9,  1862. 
CAS.  T.  CURTIS. 

Corporal  July  22,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  First 

Sergeant. 
ANDREW  GRAYDON. 

Corporal  July  14,  1862;  Second  Lieutenant  1st  U.  S.  Bat 
tery  Colored;  Brevet  Captain. 
PARISH  L.  MAHEW. 

Corporal  July  15,  1862;  discharged  Jan.  21,  1863. 
JAMES  F.  TOUT. 

Corporal  July  22,  1862;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Feb. 

17,  1863. 
FRANK  GILLET. 

Corporal  July  15,   1862;  discharged  for  promotion  First 

Lieutenant  I4th  U.  S.  Colored  Infantry. 
ROBERT  W.  CATHCART. 

Corporal  July   15,   1862;  mustered  out  June  8,   1865,  as 

Sergeant. 
JOSHUA  C.  HADLEY. 

Corporal  July  22,  1862 ;  Second  Lieutenant  Jan.  24,  1865 ; 

Captain  April  i,  1865  ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
ALBERT  COLLIER. 

Corporal  July  22,  1862  ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
THOMAS  ANGLE. 

Musician  July  24,  1862  ;  discharged  Dec.  17,  1864. 
NATHANIEL  E.  EUDALY. 

Musician  July  24,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 


THE    SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

GEO.  W.  KOONTZ. 

Wagoner  July  15,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  13,  1864;  lost  an 
arm  at  Resaca. 

PRIVATES. 

PERRY  ABELL. 

July  26,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  C.  ADAMS. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  A.  ARBUCKLE. 

Aug.  8,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
BENJAMIN  F.  ASKREN. 

Aug.  7,   1862 ;  discharged  Dec.   12,   1864,  on  account  of 

wounds  received  at  Resaca. 
JAMES  W.  BLUE. 

July  25,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  March  8,  1864. 
RICHARD  CARNES. 

July  16,  1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Dec.  21,  1862. 
GEORGE  W.  CARTER. 

July  21,   1862;  died  at  Indianapolis  July  16,   1864,  from 

wound  received  at  Resaca. 
SAMUEL  R.  CARTER. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  discharged  Nov.  20,  1862. 
JOSEPH  B.  CARTER. 

Aug.  ii,  1862;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  April  5,  1863. 
JAMES  H.  CLARK. 

Aug.  7,  1862;  killed  at  Kenesaw  June  22,  1864;  Sergeant. 
JOHN  W.  CLAYPOOL. 

Aug.  8,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
NOAH  CONSTABLE. 

July  22,  1862 ;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  9,  1862. 
ELISHA  CRAWFORD. 

July  24,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
NICHOLAS  CROSSLY. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  CROSSLEY. 

July  26,  1862 ;  discharged  Jan.  20,  1863. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  367 

JOHN  CUNNINGHAM. 

July  25,   1862;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps  Aug.    13, 
1864. 
WILLIAM  A.  DILLEY. 

July  26,  1862 ;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  2O,  1863. 
THOMAS  N.  DONLY. 

July  26,    1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
MARTIN  ENGLEHART. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
EDWARD  M.  FITZGIBBON. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JONATHAN  GORDON. 

Aug.  4,  1862;  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  July  28,  1864, 
from  wounds. 
RICHARD  GRAVES. 

July  15,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
LUNSFORD  GRIFFITH. 

Aug.  11,  1862;  transferred  to  Engineer  Corps   Aug.   29, 
1864. 
JAMES  GREEN. 

Aug.  17,  1862;  discharged  March  n,  1863. 
MARTIN  V.  GRIFFITH. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  died  May  24,  1864;  wounds. 
JAMES  GROVES. 

Aug.  7,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  GULLEY. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  discharged  Jan.  22,  1863. 
JOSEPH  HAYDEN. 

July  21,  1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  10,  1862. 
WILLIAM  C.  HIND. 

July  26,  1862 ;  discharged  Jan.  22,  1863. 
ARTHUR  HOAGLAND. 

July  17,  1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Sept.  II,  1862. 
WILLIAM  E.  HOWLAND. 

July  19,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
LEWIS  A.  JELF. 

Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  Oct.  18,  1863. 


THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

HENRY  C.  JONES. 

Aug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  186=5 
JOHN  L.  KETCHAM. 

July  15,  1862;  promoted  Sergeant-Major  1864;  First  Lieu 
tenant  1865 ;  mustered  out  with  regiment 
CURTIS  KING. 

July  29,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal 
JOHN  KIRKLAND. 

Aug.  6,  1862 ;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Feb  20  1861 
LEVI  KLEPFER. 

July  30,  1862;  died  May  16,  1864;  wounds. 
GEORGE  KOCHER. 

July  30,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
ROBERT  LANGSDALE. 

July  24,  1862 ;  discharged  March  4,  1863. 
MICHAEL  M.  LAWSON. 

July  30,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865 
OLIVER  P.  LOCKHART. 

July  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  G.  LOCKRIDGE. 

Aug.  4,  1862 ;  discharged  Jan.  22,  1863. 

DANIEL  p.  MCLAUGHLIN. 

July  28,  1862;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.  Dec  21   1862 
JOHN  MALONEY. 

July  25,  1862;  discharged  March  9,  1863. 
THOMAS  D.  MANLEY. 

Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865 
HENRY  MAYHEW. 

July  26,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865 
THOMAS  MILLER. 

Aug.  6,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal 
JACOB  MONROE. 

July  29,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865 
RICHARD  T.  NASH. 

July  29,  1862;  died  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  March  i*,  1864 
JAMES  W.  PIERCE. 

Aug.  2,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  i,  1863. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  369 

CHARLES  POTTS. 

July  25,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
AUGUSTINE  S.  POWERS. 

July  26,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  PRITCHETT. 

July  29,  1862;  deserted  Nov.  i,  1863. 
ALFRED  E.  PURCELL. 

Aug.  9,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca  May  15,  1864. 
GEORGE  REDMOND. 

July  30,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  F.  ROGERS. 

July  30,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
HARVEY  B.  ROGERS. 

July  30,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
JOHN  RODGERS. 

Aug.  n,  1862;  discharged  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
JOHN  C.  RUSSELL. 

Aug.  9,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
ABRAHAM  SEAY. 

July  21,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  A.  SEAY. 

July  21,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  SEEKAMP. 

July  30,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
BENJAMIN  F.  SOUTH. 

Aug.  10,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  C.  SPAULDING. 

July  19,  1862;  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Creek  July  20,  1864. 
MARION  SPRINGER. 

Aug.  5,  1862 ;  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Dec.  3,  1862. 
JOHN  S.  STEPHENS. 

Aug.  9,  1862 ;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  23,  1863. 
JOHN  STOOP. 

Ajug.  7,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  T.  TALBOT. 

July  19,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
WILLIAM  F.  TAYLOR. 

Aug.  8,  1862 ;  died  at  Saundersville,  Tenn.,  Jan.  8,  1863. 


37°  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

SIMEON  TEMPLIN. 

Aug.  9,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  VAN  SICKLE. 

July  19,  1862;  died  at  Nashville,  Term.,  Nov.  13,  1863. 
DAVID  WATSON. 

July  31,  1862;  died  May  17,  1864;    wounds    received    at 

Resaca. 
JASPER  WATSON. 

July  30,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
MARTIN  V.  WATSON. 

July  26,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
BENJAMIN  F.  WATTS. 

July  26,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
GEORGE  M.  WILSON. 

July  19,  1862;  killed  at  Resaca  May  15,  1864. 
STEPHEN  WOODRUFF. 

July  19,  1862  ;  discharged  Jan.  28,  1865  ;  wounds. 

RECRUITS  AND  VETERANS. 

WASHINGTON  AKESTOR. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ANDREW  J.  ARNOLD. 

July  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
HENRY  C.  AUSTIN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  W.  BISHOP. 

April  4,  1863 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  M.  BONNER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  B.  BOYD. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  S.  BOYD. 

Jan.  8,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
ROBERT  R.  BRATTAN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  BROWN. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 


REGIMENTAL    ROSTER  371 

JEFIREY  J.  COX. 

March  26,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
DANIEL  CLAYTON. 

July  28,  1862 ;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JESSE  N.  DICKERSON. 

Sept.  6,  1862;  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Nov.  10,  1862. 
JOSEPH  A.  DAVIS. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  H.  DOUGHERTY. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  EDWARDS. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
DAVID  EVERHART. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  P.  ELLIS. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
MARTIN  V.  GILLEY. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  JACKSON. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOSEPH  R.  JONES. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  B.  JONES. 

March  4,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
MARION  JONES. 

Feb.  12,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  LATTIMORE. 

Jan.  24,   1864;  discharged  Jan.  24,  1864,  by  order  War 

Department. 
ROBERT  R.  MARSHALL. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JERRETT  W.  MARTIN. 

Feb.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
SHELBY  MARTIN. 

Sept.  12,  1861 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
MARION  McADAMS. 

Feb.  12,1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 


372  THE   SEVENTIETH    INDIANA 

JAMES  MAXWELL. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
DANIEL  MONAHAN. 

March  3,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  186=;. 
PHILIP  OSMON. 

March  3,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  F.  PALMER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
NELSON  PURCELL. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JAMES  L.  B.  SHEPHERD. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
NOAH  P.  STUKEY. 

March  26,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
WILLIAM  STIPES. 

July  28,  1862;  mustered  out  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  A.  THOMAS. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JORDAN  WELCH. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
JOHN  G.  WALLACE. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
SAMUEL  S.  WEAVER. 

Jan.  24,  1864 ;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 
CHARLES  C.  WEAVER. 

Jan.  24,  1864;  transferred  to  33d  Regiment  June  8,  1865. 


14  DAY  USE 

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